Helping Appalachian Kentucky Communities Get Vaccinated
K-VAC: Kentucky Vaccinating Appalachian Communities
This project helps communities in Appalachian Kentucky understand and get COVID-19 vaccines and other important immunizations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11049177 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many factors can make it hard for people to get vaccinated, such as a lack of clear information, distrust in healthcare, or difficulty getting to clinics. This project works directly with communities in Appalachian Kentucky, where COVID-19 vaccination rates have been low, to understand these specific challenges. Researchers will partner with local groups to create and share messages about vaccines that fit the community's culture and needs. The goal is to make it easier for adults in this region to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, improving overall community health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants for this community-engaged work would be adults living in Appalachian Kentucky who may have questions or concerns about vaccines.
Not a fit: Patients who are already fully vaccinated and do not live in the targeted Appalachian Kentucky communities may not directly benefit from this specific intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to higher vaccination rates and better protection against COVID-19 and other infectious diseases for people in Appalachian Kentucky.
How similar studies have performed: Community-engaged approaches have shown promise in addressing health disparities and improving health behaviors in other settings.
Where this research is happening
Lexington, United States
- University of Kentucky — Lexington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kiviniemi, Marc T — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Kiviniemi, Marc T
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 below.