Civis tested eight messaging themes in a trial involving 5,110 unvaccinated adults across the U.S. from Aug. 19 to Sept. 8. Below are eight of the trial’s findings:
- Describing the rise in COVID-19 cases among children and emphasizing that adults’ vaccinations help protect children was the most effective strategy. This messaging theme increased participants’ reported likelihood of getting vaccinated by 6 percentage points on average.
- Communicating that a severe COVID-19 case can be expensive and that vaccination can help avoid financial burdens was the second-most effective strategy. This messaging theme increased participants’ reported likelihood of getting vaccinated by 5 percentage points on average.
- Emphasizing the opportunities and activities from which unvaccinated people could be excluded, such as concerts and international travel, was a marginally persuasive strategy. This messaging theme increased participants’ reported likelihood of getting vaccinated by 3 percentage points on average.
- Emphasizing that it’s normal to have questions about COVID-19 vaccines and highlighting that vaccination is a personal choice increased participants’ reported likelihood of getting vaccinated by 1 percentage point on average.
- Communicating that vaccines are an example of American ingenuity and getting vaccinated is an act of patriotism increased participants’ reported likelihood of getting vaccinated by 1 percentage point on average.
- Highlighting COVID-19 vaccine safety by describing the rigorous testing and FDA review processes decreased participants’ reported likelihood of getting vaccinated by 2 percentage points on average.
- Sharing statistics on the dangers of COVID-19, particularly about the increased contagiousness of the delta variant and potential to cause more severe illness, decreased participants’ reported likelihood of getting vaccinated by 3 percentage points on average.
- Showing participants an Alabama physician describing unvaccinated patients under her care dying of COVID-19 and begging to be vaccinated was the messaging theme that backfired the most. It decreased their reported likelihood of getting vaccinated by 4 percentage points on average.
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