The Extension Collaboration on Immunization Teaching and Engagement (EXCITE) project is recruiting participants to test vaccine education messages.

As part of the study, adults aged 65 or older will be exposed to several types of messages about vaccines. They will then answer questions about their opinions toward the messages while attached to sensors that measure bodily responses, like heart rate.

Researchers will hold sessions in Columbus on April 15th and 16th and in Starkville on April 18th and 19th. Each session will last one hour, and participants will receive a $50 gift card at the end.

Paul Bolls, a professor in the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University, will lead the research sessions. Bolls is internationally recognized for his expertise in investigating brain processes that produce media effects. This work is in collaboration with Holli Seitz, principal investigator for MSU EXCITE project, whose team has developed messages that will be tested in these sessions.

“We want adults in Mississippi to have the information they need to stay up to date on recommended vaccines and where to find them. The MSU EXCITE project is very fortunate to have Dr. Bolls and his team helping us make sure our messages are clear and useful. He brings a wealth of expertise in understanding how the brain processes messages and how we can use that information to make our communication better,” said Seitz, MSU associate professor of communication.

To learn more and sign up for the Columbus location, visit https://calendly.com/wsumurrowcollege/excite-ms-columbus

To learn more and sign up for the Starkville location, visit https://calendly.com/wsumurrowcollege/excite-ms-starkville

For additional information or assistance, please contact Dr. Paul Bolls (pbolls@wsu.edu) or call (509) 338-776.

To learn more about the EXCITE project, visit excite.extension.org/.