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Effectiveness of interventions to increase vaccine uptake: component network meta-analysis

Davies SR, Davies AL, Higgins JPT, Caldwell DM, Thornton ZA, Aiton E, Ali I, Dawson S et al.

BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 2026

1 citation

Abstract

Objectives: To identify the effective components of interventions to increase vaccine uptake and to explore variations in effectiveness by population group and in relation to the covid-19 pandemic.

Design: Component network meta-analysis.

Setting: Systematic review of randomised controlled trials in high and upper middle income countries.

Participants: 237 studies with 570 intervention arms and 4 361 717 participants.

Interventions: Any intervention targeting vaccine recipients or their caregivers aiming to increase demand for, or access to, vaccinations on the UK immunisation schedule. Key content and delivery features of interventions were identified using a bespoke coding framework co-developed with stakeholders.

Main outcome measures: The outcome of interest was vaccine uptake. Bayesian component level meta-regression estimated relative effects of intervention components as ratios of odds ratios with 95% credible intervals (CrIs).

Results: Of the included studies, 110 were at low risk of bias, 96 had some concerns, and 31 were at high risk. 40% (n=1 744 686) of the participants were male. For children, there was evidence of beneficial effects for payments to cover costs (ratio of odds ratios 3.01, 95% CrI 1.49 to 6.06) and decision aids (2.73, 1.14 to 7.06), and some evidence for extended opportunities (1.37, 0.98 to 1.95) and social factors (1.27, 0.99 to 1.65). For adolescents and young adults, there were beneficial effects for personal delivery formats (2.13, 1.09 to…

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