Advancing Immunization Services through a Coordinating Center
Official title: UI Advancing Research in Immunization Services Network Coordinating Center
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-11503935 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A national program in Iowa aims to boost vaccination rates, especially in rural areas, by tailoring vaccine information to people’s motivations and uncertainty so they’re more confident about immunizations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | September 29, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $350,000 |
| NIH project number | 5U48DP006836-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11503935 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals in rural or under-immunized communities who are making decisions about vaccination and could benefit from improved messaging and trust-building approaches.
✕Less likely to help
People who are already fully vaccinated or who have no exposure to vaccination messaging may not experience direct benefit.
What this research studies
This grant supports a coordinating center that will apply behavioral science to improve how we communicate about vaccines. It builds on years of research showing that people respond to information in ways tied to their goals, threats, and social context, especially in rural communities. The team will develop and test communication strategies that align with how people process risk and evidence, and will progress toward scalable approaches for vaccine promotion. The project is centered at the University of Iowa, led by NATOSHIA M. ASKERSON, with a goal of informing national vaccination efforts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to more effective vaccine messaging and higher vaccination rates, reducing the spread of preventable diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research suggests that aligning messages with people's motivations can improve vaccine-related intentions and uptake, though applying it at scale is ongoing.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Askelson, Natoshia M. — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Askelson, Natoshia M.
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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.