NIH-funded research R01 grant

Improving COVID-19 and flu vaccination rates among adults with chronic diseases in underserved communities

Official title: Impact of a Community Care Intervention to Address Inequities in COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccination Among Adults Suffering from Disproportionate Chronic Disease

Funded at Rand Corporation · NIH-11037965 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new way to help people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds with chronic illnesses get vaccinated for COVID-19 and the flu by using community health workers who provide personalized support and information.

More COVID-19 research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionRand Corporation
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Santa Monica, United States)
Project startJune 18, 2022
Project endFebruary 28, 2027
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$541,109
NIH project number5R01MD017232-04
Project IDNIH-11037965 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older from racial and ethnic minority groups who have chronic illnesses and are receiving care at Federally Qualified Health Centers.

Less likely to help

Patients who are not from racial or ethnic minority groups or do not have chronic illnesses may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on addressing vaccination inequities for COVID-19 and influenza among racial and ethnic minorities with chronic illnesses. It utilizes community health workers (CHWs) to provide tailored support and information, helping to overcome barriers such as poor access to care and lack of culturally appropriate resources. The intervention is designed in collaboration with local community leaders and patients to ensure it meets the specific needs of the target population. By implementing a randomized controlled trial, the research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach in increasing vaccination rates.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve vaccination rates and health outcomes for underserved populations with chronic diseases.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that community health worker interventions can effectively improve health outcomes and access to care in similar populations.

Where this research is happening

  • Rand Corporation
    Santa Monica, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Lara, Marielena — Rand Corporation
  • Study coordinator: Lara, Marielena

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Motivational interviewing to increase COVID-19 and flu vaccination

    This project teaches primary care providers conversational skills to help more adults, especially those in vulnerable communities, feel comfortable getting COVID-19 and flu shots.

    NIH research Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · Worcester, United States · NIH-11412464

  • Training healthcare providers to encourage COVID-19 and flu vaccinations

    This study is all about helping doctors talk to people who are unsure about getting COVID-19 and flu vaccines, especially those who might face extra challenges, so they can feel more comfortable and confident in getting vaccinated.

    NIH research Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · Worcester, United States · NIH-11126677

  • Improving influenza vaccination and pandemic response strategies using data models

    This study is working on new tools to help improve flu vaccines and responses during flu outbreaks, using data from the Michigan Influenza Center to better understand how community immunity affects vaccine success, so health officials can make smarter decisions about vaccinations and treatments.

    NIH research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor, United States · NIH-10907399

  • Vaccine failure after Covid-19 vaccination in older adults

    This project follows vaccinated older adults to understand who among them still gets Covid-19 and what factors make those outcomes worse.

    NIH research Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco · San Francisco, United States · NIH-11515707

  • How the immune system responds to flu shots and flu infection

    This project looks at how adults' immune systems react after flu shots or when they catch the flu to find why some people get better protection than others.

    NIH research Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · New York, United States · NIH-11481644

  • Universal flu vaccine strategy to protect against diverse influenza strains

    A research team is testing new vaccine designs aimed at broad protection against many flu strains for people who want lasting immunity.

    NIH research Rockefeller University · New York, United States · NIH-11384802

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.