The Application and Outcome Evaluation of a Social Marketing Intervention to Increase Seasonal Influenza Vaccination among University Students

Seasonal flu vaccination rates among university students are exceedingly low and research focused on voluntarily influencing vaccination uptake is limited. This study outlines the development, implementation, and evaluation of a theory-driven social marketing vaccination intervention following the c...

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Main Authors: Daisy Lee, Sharyn Rundle-Thiele, Ben Y. F. Fong, Gabriel Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-10-01
Series:Vaccines
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/10/10/1671
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author Daisy Lee
Sharyn Rundle-Thiele
Ben Y. F. Fong
Gabriel Li
author_facet Daisy Lee
Sharyn Rundle-Thiele
Ben Y. F. Fong
Gabriel Li
author_sort Daisy Lee
collection DOAJ
description Seasonal flu vaccination rates among university students are exceedingly low and research focused on voluntarily influencing vaccination uptake is limited. This study outlines the development, implementation, and evaluation of a theory-driven social marketing vaccination intervention following the co-create-build-engage (CBE) framework. This study drew upon a pre-intervention segmentation study and co-created interventions targeted at receptive segments. The intervention delivered a significant 343% increase in vaccination rates using a difference-in-difference analysis. Online communication channels effectively engaged students to register for and receive their flu vaccine Almost 90% of students who received vaccinations signed up in the first two weeks of the intervention program indicating that those who can be motivated will act early in the flu season. Financial incentives, as found in previous studies, were confirmed as highly effective in increasing awareness and influencing vaccination uptake behaviours. Friend referral incentives were also found to be influential in motivating vaccination uptake. Suggestions are provided for future research and practical implementation of interventions on university campuses to motivate flu vaccination and other health behaviours.
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spelling doaj.art-ba16a4eec5d84c98a46cb120f1e919f52023-11-24T03:04:01ZengMDPI AGVaccines2076-393X2022-10-011010167110.3390/vaccines10101671The Application and Outcome Evaluation of a Social Marketing Intervention to Increase Seasonal Influenza Vaccination among University StudentsDaisy Lee0Sharyn Rundle-Thiele1Ben Y. F. Fong2Gabriel Li3School of Professional Education and Executive Development, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, ChinaSocial Marketing @ Griffith, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, AustraliaSchool of Professional Education and Executive Development, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, ChinaSchool of Professional Education and Executive Development, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, ChinaSeasonal flu vaccination rates among university students are exceedingly low and research focused on voluntarily influencing vaccination uptake is limited. This study outlines the development, implementation, and evaluation of a theory-driven social marketing vaccination intervention following the co-create-build-engage (CBE) framework. This study drew upon a pre-intervention segmentation study and co-created interventions targeted at receptive segments. The intervention delivered a significant 343% increase in vaccination rates using a difference-in-difference analysis. Online communication channels effectively engaged students to register for and receive their flu vaccine Almost 90% of students who received vaccinations signed up in the first two weeks of the intervention program indicating that those who can be motivated will act early in the flu season. Financial incentives, as found in previous studies, were confirmed as highly effective in increasing awareness and influencing vaccination uptake behaviours. Friend referral incentives were also found to be influential in motivating vaccination uptake. Suggestions are provided for future research and practical implementation of interventions on university campuses to motivate flu vaccination and other health behaviours.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/10/10/1671seasonal influenza vaccinationsocial marketingco-create-build-engage (CBE) frameworkcollege studentsuniversity studentsbehaviour change
spellingShingle Daisy Lee
Sharyn Rundle-Thiele
Ben Y. F. Fong
Gabriel Li
The Application and Outcome Evaluation of a Social Marketing Intervention to Increase Seasonal Influenza Vaccination among University Students
Vaccines
seasonal influenza vaccination
social marketing
co-create-build-engage (CBE) framework
college students
university students
behaviour change
title The Application and Outcome Evaluation of a Social Marketing Intervention to Increase Seasonal Influenza Vaccination among University Students
title_full The Application and Outcome Evaluation of a Social Marketing Intervention to Increase Seasonal Influenza Vaccination among University Students
title_fullStr The Application and Outcome Evaluation of a Social Marketing Intervention to Increase Seasonal Influenza Vaccination among University Students
title_full_unstemmed The Application and Outcome Evaluation of a Social Marketing Intervention to Increase Seasonal Influenza Vaccination among University Students
title_short The Application and Outcome Evaluation of a Social Marketing Intervention to Increase Seasonal Influenza Vaccination among University Students
title_sort application and outcome evaluation of a social marketing intervention to increase seasonal influenza vaccination among university students
topic seasonal influenza vaccination
social marketing
co-create-build-engage (CBE) framework
college students
university students
behaviour change
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/10/10/1671
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