Vaccine-Related Internet Search Activity Predicts H1N1 and HPV Vaccine Coverage: Implications for Vaccine Acceptance

Abstract

The Internet is a primary source for health-related information, and Internet search activity is associated with infectious disease outbreaks. The authors hypothesized that Internet search activity for vaccine-related information would predict vaccination coverage. They examined Internet search activity for H1N1 and human papilloma virus (HPV) disease and vaccine information in relation to H1N1 and HPV vaccine uptake. Google Insight for Search was used to assess the volume of Internet search queries for H1N1- and vaccine-related terms in the United States in 2009, the year of the H1N1 pandemic. Vaccine coverage data were also obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at the state level for H1N1 vaccinations in 2009. These same measures were collected at the state level for HPV- and vaccine-related search terms in 2010 as well as HPV vaccine uptake in that year. Analyses showed that the search terms H1N1 and vaccine were correlated with H1N1 vaccine uptake; ordinal regression found the H1N1 search term was independently associated with H1N1 vaccine coverage. Similarly, the correlation between vaccine search volume and HPV coverage was significant; ordinal regression showed the search term vaccine independently predicted HPV vaccination coverage. This is among the first studies to show that Internet search activity is associated with vaccination coverage. The Internet should be exploited as an opportunity to dispel vaccine misinformation by providing accurate information to support vaccine decision making.

Lyme disease prevention: A content analysis of Canadian patient group and government websites

“…Walji et al (), Wu & McCormick (), and Kortum, Edwards, and Richards‐Kortum (), among others, have shown misleading or inaccurate web‐based information to be a factor influencing the emergence and persistence of controversies in the health domain, with a consequent negative impact on individual health behaviours. The controversy surrounding child immunization is an interesting parallel in this respect (Kalichman & Kegler, ). Anti‐vaccination messages, often based on inaccurate information, are more commonly found on the Internet than on other media, and parents reluctant to have their children immunized more frequently report having obtained their information online (Kata, ; Salmon et al, ).…”

Can Digital Tools Be Used for Improving Immunization Programs?

“…In 2008, a Google service (Google Flu Trends) has been developed to estimate and predict influenza activity by aggregating Google search query volumes ( 42 ). One study investigated the possibility of applying this approach to vaccinations, showing that search activity for HPV and H1N1 correlated to immunization coverage ( 43 ).…”

Creating opportunities for digital engagement and participation

“…First, laypersons search for and go to the internet for information on HPV vaccination rather independent of seasons and media coverage, though the internet search activity may increase due to media coverage on the vaccines (Bragazzi et al, 2017;Eberth et al, 2014;Kalichman & Kegler, 2015). Digital media thus create opportunities for laypersons to use digital media as information sources continually.…”

“…However, as was also the case regarding the participatory dimensions of using digital media as information sources, the information laypersons receive may be considered unreliable. Nevertheless, laypersons may also learn how to use the diff erent platforms and thereby cultivate their participatory skills (Kalichman & Kegler, 2015).…”