COVER-ME: developing and evaluating community-based interventions to promote vaccine uptake for COVID-19 and influenza in East London minority ethnicity (ME) and underserved individuals - protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial

T Chaudhry, P Tum, HZ Tam, A Brentnall, H Smethurst, K Kielmann, H Kunst, S Hargreaves, CNJ Campbell, C Griffiths, D Zenner

    Research output: Contribution to journalA1: Web of Science-articlepeer-review

    Abstract

    INTRODUCTION: 

    Under-vaccination among underserved groups remains low due to existing disparities. This is particularly the case with postpandemic COVID-19 vaccinations and other vaccine-preventable diseases, including measles, mumps, rubella or influenza. Therefore, we aim to (1) determine the feasibility and practicality of implementing a patient engagement tool (PET) and gain vital insights to plan a subsequent definitive randomised controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the effectiveness of this tool for increasing uptake of COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations and (2) define the appropriate level of support needed for healthcare providers at site-level to ensure successful implementation of the PET and to identify supporting activities needed to implement interventions for COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations.

    METHODS AND ANALYSIS: 

    This is a randomised controlled feasibility study evaluating a co-designed PET, involving randomisation at individual and cluster levels. For individual randomisation, patients will be individually randomised 1:1 to receive the intervention (PET) or routine care; whereas for cluster randomisation, six GP (General Practitioner) practices will be randomised 1:1 and divided into two tranches at two separate time points. Both groups will receive training and software activation. Data will be analysed using statistical software R (V.4.0 or greater) or STATA (V.17 or greater). Baseline characteristics will be summarised and presented in groups based on an intention-to-treat basis with categorical data, including demographics, socioeconomic variables, comorbidities and vaccination status.

    ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION:

    Ethical approval was granted by the Westminster Ethics Committee (ref: 316860). Our dissemination strategy targets three audiences: (1) policy makers, public and health service managers, and clinicians responsible for delivering vaccines and infection prevention services; (2) patients and public from underserved population groups and (3) academics.

    TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05866237).

    Original languageEnglish
    Article numbere092568
    JournalBMJ Open
    Volume15
    Issue number3
    Number of pages7
    ISSN2044-6055
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 18-Mar-2025

    Keywords

    • COVID-19
    • Health Equity
    • Health Services
    • Infection control
    • Vaccination
    • Minority Groups
    • Humans
    • Patient Participation
    • Vulnerable Populations
    • Feasibility Studies
    • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
    • Ethnicity
    • Influenza Vaccines/administration & dosage
    • Pilot Projects
    • Vaccination/statistics & numerical data
    • London
    • COVID-19/prevention & control
    • Influenza, Human/prevention & control
    • COVID-19 Vaccines/administration & dosage

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