Does messaging about vaccine choice increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake in high-risk adults?

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

EMPOWeR is a pragmatic randomized trial within Kaiser Permanente Southern California. It compares different vaccine messaging strategies that highlight choice, including platform-framed, healthcare provider trust-framed, and reactogenicity-framed messages, to see if these messages increase uptake of updated COVID-19 vaccines. The trial uses routine electronic health record data and does not require in-person visits or surveys from participants. Eligible adults are KPSC members aged 18 or older, with subgroups 65+ or 18-64 with defined high-risk conditions. The study operates within real-world clinical workflows to assess practical impact on vaccination behavior.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Aged ≥18 years;
* Active KPSC member;
* Continuous membership from 27 August 2025 to 28 September 2026;
* Members who are aged 65 years and older, or adults aged 18-64 years with at least one of the following health conditions that increases their risk for severe COVID-19 illness, including: a) asthma, b) cancer, c) ischemic stroke, d) intracerebral or subarachnoid hemorrhage, e) transient ischemic attack, f) chronic kidney disease, g) dialysis, h) bronchiectasis, i) chronic obstructive, pulmonary disease (COPD), j) pulmonary fibrosis, k) cystic fibrosis, l) pulmonary hypertension, m) cirrhosis, n) non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NALD), o) alcoholic liver disease, p) autoimmune hepatitis, q) diabetes, r) heart failure, s) coronary artery disease, t) cardiomyopathy, u) HIV, v) obesity, w) essential hypertension, x) primary immunodeficiency and other underlying immunocompromising conditions, y) solid organ or blood stem cell transplant, z) tuberculosis;
* No documented receipt of updated 2026-27 COVID-19 vaccine as of 28 September 2026;
* Has valid email information.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Unable to receive or opted out of email communication.
* People with unknown or missing sex.
* People who cannot safely receive a COVID-19 vaccine, including those who had a severe allergic reaction to a previous COVID-19 vaccine or have a contraindication to COVID-19 vaccine or a vaccine ingredient, will not be included in the study.
* People with metastatic or terminal illness, advanced illness, receiving hospice or palliative care, or resident in skilled nursing facilities.
* People who are pregnant or currently breastfeeding.

Where it's running

• Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Department of Research & Evaluation
  Pasadena, California, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Annette Regan, PhD — Kaiser Permanente
• Study coordinator: Annette Regan, PhD
• Email: annette.k.regan@kp.org
• Phone: 626-760-2482

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Diabetes Medical Nutrition Therapy for type 2 diabetes in a large health system

  This pilot trial tests a Diabetes Medical Nutrition Therapy program for adults with type 2 diabetes and poor blood sugar control within a big health system to see how well it can be implemented and if it helps improve readings.

  Recruiting Kaiser Permanente · Fontana, California · NCT07868250

• Using Risk Thanks to Predictions to Find CKD Risk and Improve Testing

  We’re testing whether targeted provider and patient communications can help people at high risk for chronic kidney disease get the recommended kidney tests.

  Recruiting Kaiser Permanente · Portland, Oregon · NCT07857200

• Understanding aldosterone in hypertension among Kaiser Permanente members

  This is an observational program to see how aldosterone relates to high blood pressure in adults with hypertension, using data from Kaiser Permanente members in Northern California.

  Recruiting Kaiser Permanente · Oakland, California · NCT07780500

• Understand cancer cachexia subtypes in advanced cancers

  This study tests how cancer cachexia presents in people with advanced colorectal, pancreatic, or lung cancer to see if different subtypes relate to outcomes.

  Recruiting Kaiser Permanente · Pleasanton, California · NCT07776353

• Aromatherapy for Preoperative Anxiety, Postoperative Pain, and Patient Experience

  This study tests whether aromatherapy helps reduce preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain and improves the overall patient experience for adults undergoing surgery.

  Recruiting Kaiser Permanente · Stockton, California · NCT07771205

• How doctors’ reminders about iron treatment may change IV iron use in adults with heart failure

  This trial tests whether sending doctors reminders about iron deficiency guidelines helps them use IV iron more often in hospitalized adults with heart failure who are iron deficient.

  Recruiting Kaiser Permanente · Pleasanton, California · NCT07467668

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.