We will use survey responses to develop and adapt a support program for the trusted messengers that will include:
- short and informative material (in the form of text messages, social media posts, or emails) about the effectiveness and safety of vaccines
- guidelines and best practices for initiating engaging and informative discussions about vaccine effectiveness and safety
- bidirectional communication channels via scheduled emails, Zoom calls, and text messages
- Supportive learning environment for trusted messengers to share their experiences and needs with the FLRII project team to improve the program
We will focus on four Cs that may help 'trusted messengers' be more effective communicating with others regarding COVID-19 vaccines:
CAPABILITY interventions will involve educational packages designed to inform and encourage hesitants focusing on vaccine effectiveness, side effects, and myth-busters. The intervention will empower trusted messengers to encurage their network members through peer outreach and informal conversations. Examples include community messaging, e.g., PSAs; brief videos; short informational flyers; bi-directional text messages.
CONFIDENCE interventions invoke trust and will motivate the Hesitants, through incorporating motivational content into Capability interventions (e.g. messages and flyers). Examples include motivational reminders and guides for trustred messengers to build trust, engage in conversation, and address concerns.
CONVENIENCE interventions will improve and facilitate access to vaccine in rural areas, including: mobile vaccine initiatives; community-based vaccination sites, such as places of worship, schools, and community centers (identified through interviews), and facilitated vaccination sign up process, through FQHC primary care doctors and other HCWs. These efforts have already been implemented in the region and will be expanded.
CONTAGION interventions will use social networks to strengthen social influence of Messengers. Messengers will receive tips on how to incorporate factual and encouraging messages into their communications for various social networks (their clients/patients, peers, family and friends, and other community members).