Background/significance: Immunization rates in rural communities are lower than in the general population. This has led to higher rates of vaccine preventable diseases in rural populations. Low immunization rates are a multifaceted issue and require an evidence-based approach to provide education for the public in an effort to combat vaccination hesitancy and misinformation with a goal of ultimately increasing vaccination rates in rural areas. Rural populations face different barriers than other populations which is an important factor to consider when choosing which educational techniques to employ. Purpose: The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project is to provide adults in rural Michigan with information regarding barriers to routine immunizations, specifically, vaccine hesitancy. Methods: Education regarding vaccine hesitancy is being provided to adults who receive services from Michigan State University (MSU) Extension, in selected rural Michigan counties. The information has been recorded and is available online. Implementation plan/procedure: In collaboration with MSU Extension, DNP students developed a recorded webinar. The webinar focused on the barrier of vaccine hesitancy. The webinar was approximately 25 minutes long with a brief pre- and post-assessment. Deidentified demographic information was collected as a part of the survey taken by participants. Implications/conclusion: Data review demonstrates that webinars are an effective way to communicate with the public. Special consideration must be given to the wording of webinars and questionnaires to ensure comprehension and data validity.
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