Text vs Patient Portal Messaging to Improve Influenza Vaccination Coverage

• DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2024.0001
• Publication Date: 2024-03-18T15:34:40Z
• Authors: Peter G. Szilagyi; O. Kenrik Duru; Alejandra Casillas; Michael K. Ong; Sitaram Vangala; Chi-Hong Tseng; Christina Albertin; Sharon G. Humiston; Emma Clark; Mindy K. Ross; Sharon A. Evans; Michael Sloyan; Craig R. Fox; Carlos Lerner
• Keywords: Patient portal

Importance Increasing influenza vaccination rates is a public health priority. One method recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention others systems to send reminders nudging patients be vaccinated. Objective To evaluate compare effect of electronic record (EHR)–based patient portal vs text message on across system. Design, Setting, Participants This 3-arm randomized clinical trial was conducted from September 7, 2022, April 30, 2023, among primary care within University California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Interventions Arm 1 received standard care. The system sent monthly reminder messages due an vaccine (arm 2) or 3). 2 had × nested design, with fixed responsive preappointment no reminders. 3 Preappointment eligible were 24 48 hours before scheduled visits. Fixed (in October, November, December) involved identical via text. Responsive asking about their plans vaccination, follow-up if response affirmative but not yet Main Outcomes Measures outcome obtained UCLA EHR, including pharmacies other sources. Results A total 262 085 (mean [SD] age, 45.1 [20.7] years; 237 404 [90.6%] adults; 681 [9.4%] children; 149 349 [57.0%] women) in 79 practices included (87 257 arm 1, 87 478 2, 350 At entire population level, none interventions improved rates. All groups approximately 47%. There statistical clinically significant improvement following text, (portal combined), Conclusions Relevance neither nor effective. Given that hesitancy may major reason lack impact reminders, more intensive are needed raise coverage levels. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05525494