Understanding Public Attitudes Towards the COVID-19 Vaccination

University of Massachusetts, Worcester

Overview

The objective of this study is to better understand public attitudes towards coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. This understanding will inform the development of community engagement strategies to be used in future interventions and studies aimed at addressing factors that impact the disproportionate burden of COVID-19 in under-served and vulnerable communities.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has rapidly instigated a global pandemic. As of this writing, there are more than 33 million documented cases of infection in the United States (US). Furthermore, in the US, COVID-19 has disrupted the economy, overwhelmed the healthcare system, led to widespread school cancellations, and caused more than 595,000 deaths since March 2020. The availability of three highly effective vaccines against COVID-19 within a year of the start of the pandemic is an extraordinary achievement and cause for great optimism. However, a significant proportion of adults in the U.S. have not accepted vaccination against COVID-19. Efforts are needed to identify effective messages and communication strategies to overcome COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. To address this need, the investigators plan to conduct two rapid surveys among Massachusetts residents, to assess attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Conditions

Covid19 Vaccination

Interventions

Communication about the COVID-19 vaccination from the Massachusetts Department of Public HealthBEHAVIORAL

Participants will be randomized to receive one of two different versions of messages from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The message that participants in each experimental group receive will vary slightly and systematically. Specific content and wording of these messages were developed to address and mitigate concerns about the Covid-19 vaccination.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Massachusetts resident * Adult (age 18 and over) * English or Spanish speaking Exclusion Criteria: • Non-English or Spanish speaking

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Intent to be vaccinated against Covid-19 among unvaccinated participants

The survey includes a question that assesses participants' willingness to be vaccinated against Covid-19 if they are unvaccinated. Responses include Yes, No, or Not Sure to being vaccinated against Covid-19.

Time frame: Through survey completion, an average of 12 minutes

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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