@Article{info:doi/10.2196/44491,
author="Argyropoulos, Christos D
and Leckler, Janina
and Salmanton-Garc{\'i}a, Jon
and Constantinou, Marinos
and Alexandrou, Alexandra
and Themistocleous, Sophia
and Noula, Evgenia
and Shiamakkides, George
and Nearchou, Andria
and Stewart, Fiona A
and Albus, Kerstin
and Koniordou, Markela
and Kopsidas, Ioannis
and Spivak, Orly
and Hellemans, Margot
and Hendrickx, Greet
and Davis, Ruth Joanna
and Azzini, Anna Maria
and Simon, Paula Valle
and Carcas-Sansuan, Antonio Javier
and Askling, Helena Hervius
and Vene, Sirkka
and Prellezo, Jana Baranda
and {\'A}lvarez-Barco, Elena
and Macken, Alan J
and Di Marzo, Romina
and Lu{\'i}s, Catarina
and Olesen, Ole F
and Frias Iniesta, Jesus A
and Barta, Imre
and T{\'o}th, Krisztina
and Akova, Murat
and Bonten, Marc M J
and Cohen-Kandli, Miriam
and Cox, Rebecca Jane
and Sou{\v{c}}kov{\'a}, Lenka
and Husa, Petr
and Jancoriene, Ligita
and Launay, Odile
and Lundgren, Jens
and Mallon, Patrick
and Armeftis, Charis
and Marques, Laura
and Naucler, Pontus
and Ochando, Jordi
and Tacconelli, Evelina
and van Damme, Pierre
and Zaoutis, Theoklis
and Hofstraat, Sanne
and Bruijning-Verhagen, Patricia
and Zeitlinger, Markus
and Cornely, Oliver A
and Pana, Zoi Dorothea",
title="Enhancing Public Health Communication Regarding Vaccine Trials: Design and Development of the Pan-European VACCELERATE Toolkit",
journal="JMIR Public Health Surveill",
year="2023",
month="Apr",
day="3",
volume="9",
pages="e44491",
keywords="vaccine trials; volunteer registry; educational material; promotional material; patient education; health communication; health promotion; public health; COVID-19; coronavirus; SARS-CoV-2; pandemic; vaccine; vaccination; hesitancy; campaign; misinformation",
abstract="Background: The pan-European VACCELERATE network aims to implement the first transnational harmonized and sustainable vaccine trial Volunteer Registry, being a single entry point for potential volunteers of large-scale vaccine trials across Europe. This work exhibits a set of harmonized vaccine trial--related educational and promotional tools for the general public, designed and disseminated by the pan-European VACCELERATE network. Objective: This study primarily aimed to design and develop a standard toolkit to increase positive attitudes and access to trustworthy information for better access and increased recruitment to vaccine trials for the public. More specifically, the produced tools are focused on inclusiveness and equity, and are targeting different population groups, including underserved ones, as potential volunteers for the VACCELERATE Volunteer Registry (older individuals, migrants, children, and adolescents). The promotional and educational material is aligned with the main objectives of the Volunteer Registry to increase public literacy and awareness regarding vaccine-related clinical research or trials and trial participation, including informed consent and legal issues, side effects, and frequently asked questions regarding vaccine trial design. Methods: Tools were developed per the aims and principles of the VACCELERATE project, focusing on trial inclusiveness and equity, and are adjusted to local country-wise requirements to improve public health communication. The produced tools are selected based on the cognitive theory, inclusiveness, and equity of differently aged and underrepresented groups, and standardized material from several official trustworthy sources (eg, COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access; the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control; the European Patients' Academy on Therapeutic Innovation; Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; and the World Health Organization). A team of multidisciplinary specialists (infectious diseases, vaccine research, medicine, and education) edited and reviewed the subtitles and scripts of the educational videos, extended brochures, interactive cards, and puzzles. Graphic designers selected the color palette, audio settings, and dubbing for the video story-tales and implemented QR codes. Results: This study presents the first set of harmonized promotional and educational materials and tools (ie, educational cards, educational and promotional videos, extended brochures, flyers, posters, and puzzles) for vaccine clinical research (eg, COVID-19 vaccines). These tools inform the public about possible benefits and disadvantages of trial participation and build confidence among participants about the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and the health care system. This material has been translated into several languages and is intended to be freely and easily accessible to facilitate dissemination among VACCELERATE network participant countries and the European and global scientific, industrial, and public community. Conclusions: The produced material could help fill knowledge gaps of health care personnel, providing the appropriate future patient education for vaccine trials, and tackling vaccine hesitancy and parents' concerns for potential participation of children in vaccine trials. ",
issn="2369-2960",
doi="10.2196/44491",
url="https://publichealth.jmir.org/2023/1/e44491",
url="https://doi.org/10.2196/44491",
url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36878478"
}