“ Ongoing conversations with West Virginians through surveys , focus groups , and interviews have shown us that people are increasingly confused about COVID-19 vaccine eligibility ,” explained Julia Daisy Fraustino , founding director of the Reed College of Media Public Interest Communication Research Lab and assistant professor of strategic communication . “ We want to make it as easy as we can for West Virginians to know when they are due for a shot and to act on that information by scheduling an appointment or setting a personal reminder from within the application .”
The tool works for anyone at any age or stage of COVID-19 vaccination , including for those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised .
“ Vaccination is our strongest protection to reduce severe disease , hospitalization , or worse from COVID-19 ,” said Dr . Lisa Costello , assistant professor of pediatrics in the WVU School of Medicine and medical lead for the Task Force ’ s Joint Information Center . “ As immunity from the primary series of COVID-19 shots starts to fade , getting boosted when due helps people rebuild protection . This is especially important as folks get out into the community to take part in more of the things they enjoy doing .”
The application was developed in the Media Innovation Center Public Interest Communication Research Lab through a partnership with the Joint Interagency Task Force and the West Virginia DHHR Bureau for Public Health . Along with Fraustino and Costello , Joint Information Center team members working on the calculator include Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Assistant Professor Daniel Totzkay , WVU School of Pharmacy Clinical Associate Professor Krista Capehart , and The Center for Rural Health Development Senior Program Director Elaine Darling , who is a graduate of the WVU School of Public Health . Students Steve Lough in the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources and Jenna Stewart in the Reed College of Media are the lab ’ s lead programmer and lead research assistant , respectively , on the calculator effort .
For the calculator ’ s next phase , the team is developing additional content for healthcare workers while seeking feedback to respond to community needs .
“ Community organizations across the state can embed the calculator on their own websites to make it even easier for West Virginians to access and use the tool ,” Fraustino said . “ Ultimately our goal is to help every West Virginian make informed health decisions for themselves , their families and our communities .”
Image : Tyler Mertins , WVU .
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West Virginia Medical Journal • June 2022 • 37