A toolkit to predict and counter vaccine misinformation
Official title: IP23-006 VIMP: A Discourse-Aware, Community-Informed Toolkit to Predict Virality and Impact of Vaccine Misinformation Contents
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10762193 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating a helpful tool to predict and tackle vaccine misinformation, making it easier for organizations like the CDC to boost vaccine acceptance and vaccination rates by focusing on the most important issues in your community.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $1,000,000 |
| NIH project number | 1U01IP001214-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10762193 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals and communities affected by vaccine misinformation who are seeking accurate information and support for vaccination.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not concerned about vaccine misinformation or who have already made decisions regarding vaccination may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a toolkit that uses advanced natural language processing (NLP) techniques to predict the virality and impact of vaccine misinformation. By engaging with community partners, the project will ensure that the toolkit is informed by local needs and contexts, ultimately helping to increase vaccine acceptance and vaccination rates. The toolkit will enable organizations like the CDC to respond more effectively to misinformation by prioritizing which content to address and how to allocate resources. The approach combines data analytics, network simulations, and community input to create a comprehensive solution.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly enhance public health responses to vaccine misinformation, leading to improved vaccination rates and better-informed communities.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using NLP and community engagement is innovative, similar research has shown promise in addressing misinformation in other health contexts.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Roberts, Mark Stenius — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Roberts, Mark Stenius
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.