. "6 Proposed Studies on the Acceptability of the Anthrax Vaccine." An Assessment of the CDC Anthrax Vaccine Safety and Efficacy Research Program. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, 2002.
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BOX 6-1CDC Objectives for Research on the Acceptability of the Anthrax Vaccine
KAB [knowledge, attitudes and beliefs] surveys, patient satisfaction survey, and other assessment tools will be developed and used to identify concerns about anthrax vaccination among military vaccine recipients. Research partners will include the DoD, the VHC Network, and the Research Triangle Institute (RTI).
In collaboration with AVIP, VHC Network, and others, knowledge gained from the KAB surveys and the efficacy and safety studies will be used to:
Develop, promote, and provide training that will optimize and standardize procedures and quality assurance practices for the administration of AVA.
Develop strategies and training materials to help improve the acceptability of AVA and military immune readiness, in general.
Train NIP [National Immunization Program] Hotline and other CDC Hotline personnel to respond effectively to military and public questions and concerns about AVA.
A repeat KAB survey and other assessment tools will be used after education and training interventions to measure changes in KABs and impact of interventions.
SOURCE: CDC, 2002b, p. 14.
BOX 6-2Critical Research Questions Regarding the Acceptability of the Anthrax Vaccine, as Identified by CDC
What percentage of military personnel have a concern regarding AVA?
What are the specific concerns regarding the vaccine?
Does prior experience with AVA or other vaccines influence current knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs (KABs)?
Do differences in KABs and the level of concern about the AVA vaccination exist based on the following factors: gender, officer/enlisted status, branch of the military, active duty or guard/reserve status, and vaccination history?
What sources of anthrax vaccine information are the most credible?
Do KABs and the level of concern regarding the anthrax vaccine change over time?
Are planned or unplanned interventions responsible for changes in KABs and level of concern regarding AVA among military personnel?
Is there an association between educational materials and changes in KABs? Is it important for educational materials to be written by an independent source?
Are military personnel familiar with Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) reporting and what percent report follow-up actions when complications occur?
SOURCE: CDC, 2002c.
and other assessment tools. Detailed documentation of the acceptability of the vaccine within the military population is the major thrust of the research program as planned. However, the committee believes that a different prioritization is appropriate. Rather than emphasizing detailed measurements of the level of concern about the anthrax vaccine in surveys with large numbers of participants, it would be more appropriate to focus on learning how educational interventions can improve acceptability. While the development
