Protocol of the COVID-19 Health Adherence Research in Scotland Vaccination (CHARIS-V) study: Understanding the influence of vaccination decisions on adherence to transmission-reducing behaviours in a prospective longitudinal study of the Scottish Population

ABSTRACT Introduction: The global population has been asked to live under tight restrictions to slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Transmission-reducing behaviours (TRBs), (physical distancing, hand washing, wearing a face covering) were introduced by governments in 2020 prior to vaccine availability. People should maintain TRBs throughout the vaccination programme, because there is much uncertainty about the vaccine efficacy, immunity duration, whether there will be the requirement for booster vaccines, and whether vaccinated individuals can be carriers of the virus. This study will explore the effect of the vaccination programme in Scotland on adherence to TRBs. Methods and analysis: Telephone interviews will be conducted with participants from the nationally representative CHARIS project that agreed to be contacted for further research. Approximately 200, ten-minute telephone interviews will be conducted. Data will be collected on vaccine uptake or intention and adherence to TRBs. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses and moderation analyses will be used to analyse the data collected. Ethical approval was granted by the Life Sciences and Medicine School Ethics Review Board (SERB) at the University of Aberdeen. Discussion: CHARIS-V will provide an understanding of the effect of the vaccination programme on adherence to TRBs in Scotland. Findings should be useful to governments and public health agencies for the current COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination programme and assist in the management of any future outbreaks.