The JITSUVAX Project was set up in response to the global spread of misinformation about vaccination. This international research consortium was funded by the EU Horizon 2020 and led by the University of Bristol.

The JITSUVAX team of psychologists, scientists, clinicians and experts developed tools to understand and tackle vaccine misinformation.

JITSUVAX Training:
Improving Vaccine Conversations

Contact us for details:
[email protected]
Bookings Open
Download ERI prospectus

Vaccine misinformation:

  • The global spread of misinformation about vaccination over recent years has led to a loss of public confidence in vaccination, a reduction in vaccination uptake, and an increase in preventable diseases.
  • Misinformation (false or misleading information) about vaccines and vaccination is widely spread, both online and elsewhere.
  • This makes it hard for people to make informed choices about getting vaccinated.

Over the four years of the project, we:

  1. Gathered information from health workers across five countries. We explored their vaccine attitudes, behaviours, and experiences of discussing vaccinations with patients.
  2. Created a ‘taxonomy’ of anti-vaccination arguments and the underlying psychological motivations (‘the attitude roots’) they represent. We built this into an online resource.
Launch vaccine attitudes resource
  1. Combined this vaccination knowledge with communication expertise to create and test a vaccine conversation framework for health workers— the JITSUVAX Empathetic Refutational Interview (ERI).

The JITSUVAX Empathetic Refutational Interview (ERI): Improving vaccine conversations

  • Many health workers find it challenging to discuss and recommend vaccination with people who have concerns about vaccines.
  • The JITSUVAX ERI is an evidence-based, four-step method we developed to equip health workers with skills to navigate those conversations.
  • Techniques include how to build trust and address misinformation while maintaining rapport.
  • The aim is to empower people to make their own choices about vaccination from the best information.
  • Training in the ERI is available. Contact us for details: [email protected]
Download ERI prospectus

What does the name ‘JITSUVAX’ mean?

The ‘Jiu Jitsu’ martial art literally translates to “gentle art”. It coaches people to leverage the force an opponent brings, working with it, rather than seeking to combat it with their own force.

Our ‘opponent’ in this context is vaccine (‘VAX’) misinformation.

In the spirit of Jiu Jitsu, we are working with people’s motivations, not against them. The aim is to help people make health decisions without relying on misconceptions.

What does the name ‘JITSUVAX’ mean?

The ‘Jiu Jitsu’ martial art literally translates to “gentle art”. It coaches people to leverage the force an opponent brings, working with it, rather than seeking to combat it with their own force.

Our ‘opponent’ in this context is vaccine (‘VAX’) misinformation.

In the spirit of Jiu Jitsu, we are working with people’s motivations, not against them. The aim is to help people make health decisions without relying on misconceptions.