Project Summary

The MI VACUNA (Motivational Interviewing for VACcine Uptake in LatiNx Adults) study examines whether integrating vaccination into a behavioral health setting increases COVID-19 and influenza vaccination rates in Latinx adults with mental illness. In partnership with East Boston Neighborhood Health Center (EBNCH), behavioral health clinicians are trained to engage Latinx patients missing a COVID or influenza vaccine in a guided conversation about vaccination. During the conversation, patients are empowered to reflect on the reasons for not being fully vaccinated and the pros and cons of vaccination. Leveraging the integrated care setting, behavioral clinicians link patients who decide they would like to be vaccinated with a nurse using a “warm handoff”. 

Research Questions

The specific research questions the study explores include the following:

• What is the effectiveness of a motivational interviewing-based intervention in a behavioral health setting on COVID-19 vaccine uptake among Latinx adults?
• Do intervention effects vary based on patient-provider ethno-language concordance and country of origin?
• What effect does the intervention have on influenza vaccine uptake?
• Do changes in vaccine confidence, convenience and complacency explain intervention effects?
  

Innovation

Behavioral health has been overlooked as a potential avenue for vaccination, particularly for hard-to-reach or vulnerable populations. The key innovation of this study is that it draws on the trust established between behavioral health clinicians and their clients to provide a safe space for adults who are vaccine-hesitant to reflect on their attitudes and beliefs about vaccines and receive tailored, accurate, and culturally appropriate vaccination information. The study also leverages the integrated care model utilized by Federally Qualified Health Centers to enable vaccination in the context of behavioral health.

Measurement and Metrics

The intervention will be evaluated using a multi-period crossover design using de-identified electronic health record data coupled with a patient survey to examine mechanisms of change. 

Facts and Figures

MI VACUNA is anticipated to reach more than 5000 Latinx behavioral health adult patients over 5 years.

42% of Latinx behavioral health patients at EBNHC had received a COVID-19 booster as of March 2022 compared with 53% for all MA residents.

41% of Latinx behavioral health patients received a “flu shot” last flu season, compared with 77% for MA residents.

Investigative Team

The study is led by a multi-PI team including Kirsten Davison and Rocío Calvo from Boston College and Sebastien Haneuse from Harvard Chan School of Public Health. Co-investigators include Elizabeth Southwick and Elisabeth Moreno from EBNHC, Brittney Van de Water and Nadia Abuelezam from Boston College, and Kimberly O’Brien from Boston Children’s Hospital.

Contact person:
MI VACUNA project manager Alyssa Aftosmes-Tobio (aftosmes@bc.edu)

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