Text message reminders to promote human papillomavirus vaccination

ObjectiveTo implement and evaluate text message reminders for the second (HPV2) and third (HPV3) vaccine doses.DesignSite-based intervention.SettingNine pediatric sites (5 academic and 4 private) located in New York City.ParticipantsParents of adolescents 9–20 years who received HPV1 or HPV2 during the intervention period, January–June 2009.InterventionParents who enrolled received up to three weekly text message reminders that their daughter was due for her next vaccine dose.Outcome measureOn-time receipt of the next vaccine dose, within one month of its due date.ResultsDuring the intervention period, of 765 eligible HPV vaccine events, 434 enrollment instructions were distributed to parents (56.7% of doses). Parents of 124 adolescent girls (28.6% of those handed instructions) activated text message reminders. Comparing children of parents who enrolled versus those who did not, on-time receipt of next HPV vaccine dose occurred among 51.6% (95% CI 42.8–60.4%) versus 35.0% (95% CI 29.6–40.2%) of adolescents (p = .001). Similarly, among a historical cohort of adolescents, receiving HPV1 or HPV2 in the six months prior to the intervention period, on-time receipt of next vaccine dose was noted for 38.1% (95% CI 35.2–41.0%) (p = .003). Increases in receipt of next vaccine dose among intervention subjects were sustained at 4 months following the vaccine due date. Using a logistic regression model, after controlling for insurance and site of care, intervention subjects were significantly more likely than either control population to receive their next HPV vaccine dose on-time.ConclusionAmong those choosing to enroll, text message reminders were an effective intervention to increase on-time receipt of HPV2 or HPV3.