Community-Engaged Bidirectional Pandemic Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication With COVID-19 Vaccine Messages to Minority Populations

A cluster randomized trial with 80 participants from the social networks of 8 CLs will be conducted prior to widespread vaccine availability to the general public. Four CLs and social networks (cluster of 10 per network) will be randomly assigned to receive the intervention immediately or after a delay of 2 weeks. Intervention participants will be invited to a closed social media group on the platform of their choice. CLs, selected for trustworthiness within vulnerable populations, will disseminate community-informed COVID-19 vaccine messages to members of their social networks and engage in bidirectional communication with CEnR partners to refine messages. At baseline, 2 weeks and 4 weeks, participants will be surveyed to assess knowledge and attitudes about COVID-19 vaccines, including intention to be vaccinated.

Inclusion criteria

• Self-identification within a CLs social network
• Age 18 or greater
• Functional internet access.

Exclusion criteria

• Does not self-identify within a CLs social network
• Is under the age of 18
• Does not have functional internet access.