Chatbot-delivered Theory-based Online Intervention in Increasing Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Uptake Among Children Aged 3-6 Years

This randomized controlled trial will compare the efficacy of a Chatbot-delivered stage-of-change-tailored online intervention versus a Chatbot-delivered non-stage-of-change-tailored online intervention for mothers in increasing seasonal influenza vaccination uptake of their children aged 3-6 years. Mothers of children aged 3-6 years will be randomized evenly into either the intervention or the control group.

In the intervention group, the Chatbot will assess mothers' stage of change regarding their children's seasonal influenza vaccination uptake and deliver SOC-tailored interventions through WhatsApp every two weeks for four times.

In the control group, the Chatbot will provide a standard and non-stage-of-change-tailored intervention every two weeks for four times.

All participants will complete three telephone surveys at baseline (T0), after completion of the intervention (T1) and three months after T1 (T2).

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Key information

Conditions

Behavior Change

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Mothers aged ≥18 years with at least one child aged 3-6 years studying in kindergarten in Hong Kong
Cantonese speaking
Having smartphone with internet access
Already having WhatsApp on the smartphone

Exclusion criteria

Blindness or deafness
The index child has known medical contraindications for seasonal influenza vaccination

Treatment and study plan

Stage-of-change-tailored intervention

Behavioral

The Chatbot will deliver four intervention sessions tailored to participants' current stage of change regarding their index child's seasonal influenza vaccination uptake at Week 0, 2, 4, and 6. Participants will also have access to real-time Question-and-Answer (QA) function provided by the chatbot to address their questions related to seasonal influenza vaccination during the intervention period (week 0-6), and they are free to spend as much time as they want on such function.

Non-stage-of-change-tailored intervention

Behavioral

The Chatbot will automatically send participants a link to access a standard online video at week 0, 2, 4 and 6. Participants will also have access to real-time Question-and-Answer (QA) function provided by the chatbot to address their questions related to seasonal influenza vaccination during the intervention period (week 0-6), and they are free to spend as much time as they want on such function.

Primary outcomes

Index child's seasonal influenza vaccination uptake reported by his/her mother with validation

Time frame: 3 months after completion of the interventions (T2)

The research team will ask the participants whether their index children have taken up seasonal influenza vaccination at T2 (3 months after completion of the interventions) using a validated question through telephone interview. The research team will validate the outcome by requesting participants uploading an image of SIV receipt, while hiding personal identification, via the WhatsApp account used in this project.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Zixin Wang, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+852 22528474

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Chinese University of Hong Kong

Other

Registry information

Official study title

A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating a Chatbot-delivered Theory-based Online Intervention in Increasing Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Uptake Among Children Aged 3-6 Years

Important dates

Study start: 2026
Primary completion: 2027
Study completion: 2027
First posted: Jul 7, 2026
Registry last updated: Jul 7, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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