PIERI-20612 SMS Campaign to Increase COVID-19 Vaccine Take up in Tanzania

Abstract

What messaging will convince Tanzanians to get a COVID-19 vaccine? We propose to use a randomized placebo-controlled trial, to evaluate an SMS campaign targeting Tanzanian mobile phone subscribers with two different SMS content aimed at increasing vaccine take up. We hypothesize different mechanisms by which Tanzanians may be induced to agree to get a COVID-19 vaccine including (1) altruism for others (empathy); and (2) COVID-19’s long term health impacts (self interest). A placebo group of mobile subscribers will receive an SMS unrelated to the aforementioned interventions. We intend to share the effective messages, in addition to information on where to access vaccinations, with everyone in our sample no more than 3 months after treatment. Our proposed work is expected to inform literature on the social science of persuasion more broadly but specifically as it relates to persuading adults to take up health interventions, in particular, a COVID-19 vaccine. We expect our results to be highly informative not only for Tanzanian public health policy but also more broadly by providing precise estimates of precise content that may help increase COVID-19 vaccine take up and accelerate an end to this pandemic. .


Members

Project leader: Constantine Manda

Project researchers: Noela Ringo | ANELISA RUSHAIGO | Said Rashid | Christina Fille | Melkisedeck Lolakeha Majaha | JOHNSON Mshiu | Andrew Martin KILALE | Nyagosya Range

Scientific mentors: Guillermo Cruces

Policy outreach mentors: Stephen Wainaina


Journal publication

No journal publications.


Working Papers

No working papers.


Policy Briefs

Title Modified Size Comments Recommendations
Assessing strategies to increase vaccine uptake in Tanzania 2024-11-06 1.07MB 0 0

Final report

No final reports.


Proposal

No proposals.


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