Abstract
BACKGROUND: Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes varicella (chickenpox) and herpes zoster (HZ), a painful and potentially debilitating disease. Vaccines are available to prevent HZ, but vaccination coverage remains low. This study aims to measure the impact of an awareness campaign on public interest and vaccination coverage for HZ in Italy. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional ecological study. METHODS: Google Trends data and anti-zoster vaccination records were analyzed. Joinpoint regression models were used to identify trends and joinpoints. Correlation analyses were performed to assess the relationship between public interest and vaccination rates. RESULTS: The search trends for "Herpes Zoster" and "Zoster Vaccine" showed a similar increasing trend from 2016 to 2022, with a peak in July 2022 coinciding with the start of the awareness campaign. The search volumes for "Herpes Zoster" were consistently higher than those for "Zoster Vaccine" before 2021. The vaccination coverage significantly increased after the campaign. A correlation was found between public interest and vaccination rates. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that public awareness campaigns can be an effective way to increase vaccination coverage for HZ. The awareness campaign increased public interest and translated into increased vaccination uptake. Google Trends data proved useful in assessing public awareness. Public awareness campaigns can effectively increase vaccination coverage for HZ. Google Trends data can be utilized to monitor public interest in vaccination-related topics. These findings can inform strategies to promote zoster vaccination and reduce the burden of HZ-related complications.