Using mental models to reduce the impact of false beliefs about mRNA vaccines: Two randomized trials

Two interventions utilizing visual and verbal models effectively countered fears about DNA integration from mRNA vaccines.

• The first intervention graphically modeled how mRNA COVID-19 vaccination works and verbally explained how cells protect against foreign DNA.
• The second intervention used an animation of the cell-protection model, both alone and in combination with the first intervention.
• Both preemptive and rebuttal presentations of the models were found to be effective in addressing concerns.
• Preliminary analyses suggest that preemptive positioning may be somewhat more effective than rebuttal positioning.
• Some positive effects from the modeled knowledge messaging persisted for up to 2 months after exposure.

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