Text Message Reminder-Recalls For Early Childhood Vaccination

Although the investigators have reached the Healthy People 2010 goal of 80% coverage among
U.S. children 19-35 months of age for the primary immunization series, 20% of children still
remain underimmunized. In addition, pockets of low immunization coverage and outbreaks of
vaccine preventable disease persist. Immunization reminder-recalls have been shown to be
successful, but have been limited by the ability to identify and reach large target
populations in a real-time, automated fashion. Reminder-recalls via text message may offer
an innovative opportunity to improve vaccination coverage. Currently, 91% of Americans own a
cell phone. Prior research by our team suggests that text messages reminder recalls may be
an effective tool to remind parents about their children's vaccines. In this study, the
investigators will demonstrate the effectiveness of tailored text message appointment and
immunization reminders linked to a well-established and functional immunization registry to
increase coverage rates and timeliness of the sentinel vaccines of MMR and HepA. The
investigators will target parents of young children from an underserved population that is
primarily Latino, with low socioeconomic status.