Journal Article

Evaluation of a Community COVID-19 Vaccine Ambassador Train-the-Trainer Program

Gomes, Stacey M, Martin, Keith J, Rule, Amy R. L, Lindsey, Kendal, Crosby, Lori E, Frenck, Robert W, Corley, Alexandra M. S, Watkins, Sharon, Mitchell, Monica J

2023

Overview

Racially minoritized groups are more likely to experience COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and have lower vaccination rates. As part of a multi-phase community-engaged project, we developed a train-the-trainer program in response to a needs assessment. “Community vaccine ambassadors” were trained to address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. We evaluated the program’s feasibility, acceptability, and impact on participant confidence for COVID-19 vaccination conversations. Of the 33 ambassadors trained, 78.8% completed the initial evaluation; nearly all reported gaining knowledge (96.8%) and reported a high confidence with discussing COVID-19 vaccines (93.5%). At two-week follow-up, all respondents reported having a COVID-19 vaccination conversation with someone in their social network, reaching an estimated 134 people. A program that trains community vaccine ambassadors to deliver accurate information about COVID-19 vaccines may be an effective strategy for addressing vaccine hesitancy in racially minoritized communities.

• Publisher: Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Acceptability / Ambassadors / Communicable Diseases / Community / Community Action / Computer Use / Conversation / COVID-19 / COVID-19 vaccines / Departments / Family Income / Feasibility / Health promotion / Hospitals / Immunization / Immunization Programs / Information Sources / Medical Schools / Minority & ethnic groups / Minority groups / Mythology / Needs assessment / Respondents / Social networks / Social organization / Trainers / Vaccine hesitancy / Vaccines