Sending a text message as a reminder to patients is the most low-cost effective strategy that aids in increasing the rates of influenza vaccination, reveals a new study.
A randomized controlled trial in Western Australia identified patients who were at high risk of serious influenza illness and had a mobile phone number on record in their physician's office.
Influenza Vaccination Not Only Benefits Youth But also Protects the Elderly
A 10-year study has found that annual influenza vaccinations can also reduce the hospitalization rate and delay mortality among the elderly along with youth.
Advertisement
‘Individuals can be influenced by text messages due to various factors including who sends the message, how reliable is the information, and content of the message.’
Tweet it Now
Among 12,354 eligible patients, half were randomly assigned to an intervention group, which received a vaccination reminder by text message, while the other half (control group) received no text message reminder.
Approximately three months after the messages were sent, 12 percent (n=768) of the intervention group and 9 percent (n=548) of the control group were vaccinated during the study period.
![Dissolvable Microneedles Make Influenza Vaccination Safer, Easier and Painless]( "Dissolvable Microneedles Make Influenza Vaccination Safer, Easier and Painless")
Flu vaccines given through Microhyala needles are ideal for developing countries because they do not need to be administered by trained medical personnel.
For every 29 messages sent, at a cost of $3.48 (USD), one additional high-risk patient was immunized.
The greatest effect was observed for children under five years of age, whose parents were more than twice as likely to have their child vaccinated if they received a text reminder (RR: 2.43, 95 percent CI: 1.79-3.29). There was no significant effect among pregnant women or Indigenous Australians.
The authors suggest that several factors could influence the effectiveness of text message reminders, including who sends the message, reliability of the contact information, content of the message, and when it is sent.
In light of the substantial burden of influenza on high-risk individuals and health systems, cost-efficient mechanisms to improve vaccine uptake remain an important focus for research and practice.
Source: Eurekalert
Dissolvable Microneedles Make Influenza Vaccination Safer, Easier and Painless
Flu vaccines given through Microhyala needles are ideal for developing countries because they do not need to be administered by trained medical personnel.
Advertisement
For every 29 messages sent, at a cost of $3.48 (USD), one additional high-risk patient was immunized.
The greatest effect was observed for children under five years of age, whose parents were more than twice as likely to have their child vaccinated if they received a text reminder (RR: 2.43, 95 percent CI: 1.79-3.29). There was no significant effect among pregnant women or Indigenous Australians.
The authors suggest that several factors could influence the effectiveness of text message reminders, including who sends the message, reliability of the contact information, content of the message, and when it is sent.
In light of the substantial burden of influenza on high-risk individuals and health systems, cost-efficient mechanisms to improve vaccine uptake remain an important focus for research and practice.
Source: Eurekalert
How Long Does Mother's Influenza Vaccination Shield Infants from Flu?
The effect of a mother's immunisation against influenza during pregnancy is strongest when the infant is eight weeks old or younger, suggests new research.
Advertisement
 Maternal Influenza Vaccination Protects Infants Against FluMaternal influenza vaccination during pregnancy protects infants against flu during their first six months of life. | Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Readings
Latest Research News
The AI method shows promise in identifying imaging biomarkers for diagnosing ADHD.
Diagnosed autistic individuals showed increased premature mortality in the UK, highlighting urgent needs to address associated inequalities.
Study reveals a correlation between hearing impairment and distinct brain region variances, contributing to dementia.
Financial impact of caring for individuals with neurodegenerative disorders reaches hundreds of billions annually in the United States.
Experts emphasize that addressing the skills gap demands immediate attention and innovative solutions, including education, re-training, and significant time investment.