Effect of educational and financial incentive-based interventions on immunization attitudes, beliefs, intentions and receipt among close contacts of pregnant women

Abstract

IntroductionCocooning, the vaccination of close contacts of a newborn, is a strategy to limit the risk of pertussis and influenza infection among vulnerable infants. MethodsPregnant women in Colorado and Georgia referred close contacts to an app that provided tailored educational videos about vaccines along with a small pharmacy-based financial incentive for vaccine receipt. The primary objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of implementing this app-based cocooning intervention. ResultsTwo hundred seventy seven contacts were enrolled in this study. Of those who received the educational videos, 96% found them interesting, 100% found them clear to understand, 97% found them helpful, and 99% trusted them. Completion of the videos led to significant increases in influenza vaccine knowledge (p = 0.025), Tdap vaccine knowledge (p < 0.001), and intention to receive these vaccines (p = 0.046). Of the 136 participants who reported receiving influenza vaccine, 41 (30%) reported receiving it at a pharmacy, and of the 66 who reported receiving Tdap vaccine, 15 (23%) reported receiving it at a pharmacy. Of all participants, 80% reported being comfortable receiving vaccines at a pharmacy instead of a doctor’s office. The provision of small pharmacy-based financial incentives combined with individually-tailored educational videos about vaccines led to 6.97 (95%CI: 2.25–21.64) times higher odds of self-reported receipt of influenza vaccine than providing small pharmacy-based financial incentives without these videos. No significant difference was found for Tdap vaccine. ConclusionsTailored vaccine education can positively impact vaccine knowledge and intentions among adults. An app-based referral program providing education and financial incentives for cocooning vaccination at pharmacies is feasible.