Dr. Lila J. Rutten, PhD

Communication Strategies

for COVID-19 and Flu Vaccination Rates

The study will test two tactics to improve uptake of two vaccines in adults. The vaccines prevent COVID-19 and influenza. Both are common and harmful. Most adults do not get either vaccine. This is despite strong recommendations that all adults get both vaccines. The study will involve adult patients at eight Mayo Clinic primary care practices in Rochester and Kasson. The study will test the two tactics together. Four clinics will get the two tactics. The other four clinics will not. The study will randomly assign the two tactics to the clinics. One tactic is to send a letter by US mail to the patient. The letter will state strong recommendations on getting both vaccines now. It will tell patients how to get the vaccines now. The second tactic is to send monthly emails to clinicians. It will remind them to use every visit to vaccinate patients against COVID-19 and influenza. The study will compare the uptake of the two vaccines after six months in the clinics with and without the two tactics.