A Multilingual App for Providing Information to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination Candidates with Limited Language Proficiency: Development and Pilot

Abstract

Language barriers are obstacles in receiving vaccinations against COVID-19. They jeopardize informed consent, vaccination safety, and a positive immunization experience. We have developed a multilingual app to overcome language barriers when dealing with vaccination candidates with a limited proficiency in the locally spoken language. We applied the Spiral Technology Action Research (STAR) model to create the app within a discursive process involving healthcare professionals (HCPs) from vaccination sites, literature searches and guidelines, and field trials at vaccination centers. In a real-world pilot test, we assessed the usability and feedback for further improvement. Our efforts resulted in an app that facilitates communication with vaccination candidates in 40 languages, each with over 500 phrases that can be played back or displayed as text. In the pilot test, the app demonstrated its usability, and was well accepted by the vaccination candidates (n = 20). The app was mainly used to inform about the risks and benefits of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Some HCPs struggled to navigate the comprehensive content and the pilot test exposed the need for additional phrases. The STAR model proved to be flexible in adapting to dynamic pandemic conditions and changing recommendations. This multilingual app overcomes language barriers in healthcare settings, promoting vaccines to migrants with limited language proficiency.

Applications of Social Media and Digital Technologies in COVID-19 Vaccination: Scoping Review

“…Machine learning models can help quickly assess the potential output of and design a smart parking system for drive-through vaccination clinics [ 170 , 172 ]. Digital technologies were also used to examine the accessibility of vaccine registration websites to ensure that the disabled can independently schedule vaccination appointments [ 179 ], to develop a multilingual app to facilize people with limited local language skills [ 174 ], to schedule people at more suitable vaccination centers [ 171 ], to remind about the next vaccination date [ 176 ], and to provide personalized emails/messages for vaccination promotion [ 178 ].…”

“…Eleven articles [170][171][172][173][174][175][176][177][178][179][180] aimed to improve the efficiency and quality of COVID-19 vaccination services through algorithms and mHealth apps, as a support or complement to current vaccination services. Technical issues, such as operator difficulty in adopting these technologies, hindered the promotion of these technologies.…”

A Scoping Review of COVID-19 and Other Vaccination Models for Refugees and Migrants

“…Partner with community based organizations & community members (25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38) Community engagement strategies (25, 26, 28, 30-34, 36, 37) Planning (27, Study quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) (24) (Additional le 5). MMAT was chosen as it is designed for the appraisal stage of systematic mixed studies reviews and allows for the appraisal of most common types of study designs (24).…”

“…Most studies also used language and cultural supports to increase vaccine uptake (25-30, 34, 36-38). Translation services were often utilized, such as onsite translators, healthcare staff speaking target languages, telephone translation services, trusted bilingual community members, and virtual translation tools (25-30, 30, 31, 34, 37, 38) (e.g., mobile application to assist with vaccine delivery (34), individual phone calls with language interpreters and use of professional interpretation service with iPads ( 27)). Studies also adopted culturally-adapted practices, often by sta ng ethnic staff and/or volunteers (26, 29,30).…”

“…Baseline data on vaccination coverage and target population numbers from various sources was most often used to plan interventions(26-28, 30, 33, 36). Many studies included only general data primarily from background literature relating to the target population(25,29,31,32,34,35,37, 38). Studies also actively assessed target population barriers/needs to vaccination prior to interventions (26, 28, 30, 33-36), including through surveys (28, 30, 36), analysis of online and on-the-ground discourse (26), and interviews with stakeholders and target populations (26,34,35).…”