Promotional communications for influenza vaccination programmes
Citation: MacDonald L, Cairns G, Angus K, et al. Promotional communications for influenza vaccination: a systematic review. Journal of Health Communication. 2013;18(12):1523-49.
Language: Abstract available in EN. Full text available in EN.
Free to view: No
What is this? Multiple vaccines are available for COVID-19. Existing research on the promotion of other vaccination programmes, such as for seasonal influenza, might provide useful information for policy makers planning and implementing vaccination programmes for COVID-19.
In this systematic review, the authors searched for studies of promotional communications for seasonal influenza vaccination in Europe. They restricted their searches to articles published between 2000 and 2011. They included 22 studies, most of which were undertaken in the UK.
What was found: At the time of this review, the authors found that a range of communication approaches, methods, materials, and channels were used, frequently in combination. These included mass communication, personalized communication and training/ education.
The authors concluded that “all forms of promotional communications have the potential to increase uptake in health care workers and can also improve uptake among patients”.
Implications: The authors of the review stated that promotional communications are one of many influences on public attitudes towards vaccination and that effective communication must take into account information and misinformation that is available, lack of confidence in health systems and institutions, and lack of awareness about the implications of suboptimal vaccination coverage.
Other considerations: The authors of the review discussed their findings in the context of place of residence.
This summary was prepared by Stephanie Sampson, edited by Sydney Johnson and finalized by Mike Clarke.