Utilizing the Program Impact Pathways framework for improving COVID-19 vaccine confidence and uptake: demonstrations of multi-sector collaboration from two geographies in Connecticut

Allison Beaulieu; Katherine LaMonaca; Jackson Higginbottom; Jaime Foster; Bernard Macklin; Tahnee Cookson Muhammad; Elizabeth Schwartz; Beth P Comerford; Alycia Santilli; Kathleen O'Connor Duffany; Rafael Pérez-Escamilla

doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127623

Utilizing the Program Impact Pathways framework for improving COVID-19 vaccine confidence and uptake: demonstrations of multi-sector collaboration from two geographies in Connecticut

Vaccine. 2025 Aug 25:60 Suppl 1:127623. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127623. Online ahead of print.

Affiliations

¹ Yale School of Public Health, Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center, 135 College Street, Suite 200, New Haven, CT 06510, USA. Electronic address: allison.beaulieu@yale.edu.
² Yale School of Public Health, Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center, 135 College Street, Suite 200, New Haven, CT 06510, USA. Electronic address: katherine.lamonaca@yale.edu.
³ Yale School of Public Health, Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center, 135 College Street, Suite 200, New Haven, CT 06510, USA. Electronic address: jackson.higginbottom@yale.edu.
⁴ Griffin Hospital, Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center, 130 Division Street, Second Floor, Derby, CT 06418, USA. Electronic address: jaime.foster@yalegriffinprc.org.
⁵ Southern Connecticut State University Community Alliance for Research and Engagement, Health and Human Services Building, HHS 370 501 Crescent Street, New Haven, CT 06515, USA.
⁶ Southern Connecticut State University Community Alliance for Research and Engagement, Health and Human Services Building, HHS 370 501 Crescent Street, New Haven, CT 06515, USA. Electronic address: cooksonmuht1@southernct.edu.
⁷ Griffin Hospital, Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center, 130 Division Street, Second Floor, Derby, CT 06418, USA. Electronic address: beth.comerford@yalegriffinprc.org.
⁸ Southern Connecticut State University Community Alliance for Research and Engagement, Health and Human Services Building, HHS 370 501 Crescent Street, New Haven, CT 06515, USA. Electronic address: santillia1@southernct.edu.
⁹ Yale School of Public Health, Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center, 135 College Street, Suite 200, New Haven, CT 06510, USA. Electronic address: kathleen.oconnorduffany@yale.edu.
¹⁰ Yale School of Public Health, Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center, 135 College Street, Suite 200, New Haven, CT 06510, USA. Electronic address: rafael.perez-escamilla@yale.edu.

PMID: 40857953
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127623

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic underscored longstanding inequities and limited coordination among vaccination partners. The Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center utilized the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Prevention Research Center Program supplemental COVID-19 funding from April 2021-September 2022 to support existing efforts through convened task forces. A Program Impact Pathway (PIP) framework was utilized to co-identify, develop, and evaluate three interventions in New Haven and the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut.

Methods: PIP analysis was used to identify, monitor, and address critical quality control points hindering intervention implementation. Study outcomes were intervention uptake, satisfaction, and change in knowledge and skills among frontline workers.

Results: Interventions supported task force partner work and enhanced overall collaboration during COVID-19 pandemic response. In New Haven, the task force identified and implemented interventions to improve outreach and education and partnerships expanded. In the Lower Naugatuck Valley, a theory-based messaging toolkit served as a valuable resource.

Discussion: The PIP served as a practical and flexible tool to guide task force discussions in the context of a rapidly shifting landscape, fostered shared decision-making, and improved intervention implementation.

Conclusion: PRCs can apply the PIP, leveraging their expertise in community engagement, implementation science, and monitoring and evaluation, to support local initiatives.

Keywords: COVID-19 vaccination; Community-engaged research; Health promotion; Program Impact Pathways framework; Vaccine hesitancy; Vaccine uptake.