Text message reminders for timely routine MMR vaccination: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective Measles–mumps–rubella (MMR) vaccination is important for preventing disease outbreaks, yet pockets of under-vaccination persist. Text message reminders have been employed successfully for other pediatric vaccines, but studies examining their use for MMR vaccination are limited. This study assessed the impact of text message reminders on timely MMR vaccination. Study design Parents (n = 2054) of 9.5–10.5-month-old children from four urban academically-affiliated pediatric clinics were randomized to scheduling plus appointment text message reminders, appointment text message reminder-only, or usual care. The former included up to three text reminders to schedule the one-year preventive care visit. Both text messaging arms included a text reminder sent 2 days before that visit. Outcomes included appointment scheduling, appointment attendance, and MMR vaccination by age 13 months, the standard of care at study sites. Results Children of parents in the scheduling plus appointment text message reminders arm were more likely to have a scheduled one-year visit than those in the other arms (71.9% vs. 67.4%, relative risk ratio (RRR) 1.07 [95% CI 1.005–1.13]), particularly if no appointment was scheduled before randomization (i.e., no baseline appointment) (62.1% vs. 54.7%, RRR 1.14 [95% CI 1.04–1.24]). One-year visit attendance and timely MMR vaccination were similar between arms. However, among children without a baseline appointment, those with parents in the scheduling plus appointment text message reminders arm were more likely to undergo timely MMR vaccination (61.1% vs. 55.1%, RRR 1.11 [95% CI 1.01–1.21]). Conclusion Text message reminders improved timely MMR vaccination of high-risk children without a baseline one-year visit.

Interventions to reduce inequalities in vaccine uptake in children and adolescents aged <19 years: a systematic review

“…It found a non-significant uptake difference after 2 weeks. An RCT undertaken in an urban, low-income minority ethnic population in the USA randomised participants to receive text-message reminders to schedule an appointment and/or reminders of the appointment details, or usual care to increase MMR vaccine uptake at 13 months 77. There was no difference in uptake between the arms, except in children who did not have a vaccination appointment booked and who received scheduling and appointment reminders.…”

SMS text message reminders to improve infant vaccination coverage in Guatemala: A pilot randomized controlled trial

“…Vaccine reminders with SMS technology have yielded promising results when used in high-income countries. Studies have shown increased compliance with vaccination schedules in travelers receiving the hepatitis A and B vaccine series [24] , pediatric patients receiving influenza [25] , [26] and post shortage Haemophilus influenza B [27] , adolescent patients receiving MCV4/Tdap [27] and human papillomavirus [28] immunizations, and children receiving their primary immunization series [29] and MMR vaccination [30] . Preliminary studies are promising and suggest that parents may even prefer text message reminders over other forms of communication [31] , [32] .…”

Advantages and limitations of virtual online consultations in a NHS acute trust: the VOCAL mixed-methods study

“…[54][55][56][57] Systematic reviews have indicated that text messaging can be effective in facilitating short-term behaviour and medication adherence in particular. 51 However, the quality of studies is often poor, with research frequently conducted with population samples that may not be representative, and with limited understanding of long-term effectiveness and patient satisfaction.…”