Abstract

OBJECTIVES
We conducted 2 studies to determine the impact of text message immunization reminder-recalls in an urban, low-income population.
METHODS
In 1 study, text message immunization reminders were sent to a random sample of parents (n = 195) whose children aged 11 to 18 years needed either or both meningococcal (MCV4) and tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) immunizations. We compared receipt of MCV4 or Tdap at 4, 12, and 24 weeks with age- and gender-matched controls. In the other study, we compared attendance at a postshortage Haemophilus influenzae B (Hib) immunization recall session between parents who received text message and paper-mailed reminders (n = 87) and those who only received paper-mailed reminders (n = 87).
RESULTS
Significantly more adolescents with intervention parents received either or both MCV4 and Tdap at weeks 4 (15.4% vs 4.2%; P < .001), 12 (26.7% vs 13.9%; P < .005), and 24 (36.4% vs 18.1%; P < .001). Significantly more parents who received both Hib reminders attended a recall session compared with parents who only received a mailed reminder (21.8% vs 9.2%; P < .05). After controlling for age, gender, race/ethnicity, insurance status, and language, text messaging was still significantly associated with both studies' outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS
Text messaging for reminder-recalls improved immunization coverage in a low-income, urban population.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Stockwell MS, Kharbanda EO, Martinez RA, Lara M, Vawdrey D, Natarajan K, Rickert VI

Institution

Division of Child and Adolescent Health and the Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA. mstockwell@columbia.edu

Source

American journal of public health 102:2 2012 Feb pg e15-21

MeSH

Adolescent
Child
Continental Population Groups
Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular Pertussis Vaccines
Female
Haemophilus Vaccines
Humans
Male
Meningococcal Vaccines
Parents
Poverty
Reminder Systems
Text Messaging
Urban Population
Vaccination

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22390457