Using Formative Research with Parents to Inform the Development and Distribution of Health Education Materials

Background: Questions and concerns about vaccines and vaccine safety may lead some parents to delay or forego timely immunization for their children. CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) has undertaken a structured series of research projects to learn how best to provide clear, consistent, and timely immunization information to parents.

Setting: Ongoing research projects are conducted at both the national and local level within the United States.

Population: Parents and caregivers of children, with a focus on children under two years of age.

Project Description: NCIRD uses a variety of qualitative and quantitative research methods, such as focus groups, individual interviews, and surveys, to inform the development of educational materials for parents. In 2009, based on information from ongoing research with both parents and healthcare providers, NCIRD launched “Provider Resources for Vaccine Conversations with Parents” to help healthcare providers and public health professionals support parents in their vaccination decisions. Materials include information targeted to parents on vaccine-preventable diseases, vaccines, and vaccine safety.  Formative research with parents and development of additional educational materials continued throughout 2010.

Results/Lessons Learned: This session will provide information on NCIRD’s up-to-date qualitative and quantitative research on parent knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors about vaccination, and share how this research, combined with science-based communications strategies and risk communication principles, is used to inform the development of immunization messages and materials.