Intervention
MessageMedia
FLU, INFLUENZA
The intervention comprised a parent-level nudge, in addition to clinician nudges. In the parent nudge, SMS reminders were sent to the child’s parent (using MessageMedia software) in a nondirective educational approach advising them that their child/adolescent was eligible for a funded influenza vaccine and that they could receive it at the WCH immunization clinic or by their GP. The SMS read as follows:“Influenza may be serious for children with specific medical conditions. The Women’s and Children’s Hospital recommends the influenza vaccine for all medically at-risk children. *NAME* is recommended to receive the influenza vaccine. The vaccine is free and available at GP clinics or at the WCH. Ask at your upcoming WCH appt. If your child has already received the 2021 Flu vaccine, please reply “1.” Reply “STOP” to opt out.”SMS were timed to be sent before and after the scheduled WCH specialist appointments. Each child received a maximum of 3 SMS reminders. The first was sent up to 2 weeks but no less than 1 week before the appointment, the second SMS was sent 2 weeks after the first, with the third SMS sent 2 weeks later. The SMS intervention ceased if a parent replied advising that the child was immunized, and this was confirmed on the AIR. The SMS comprised (1) the influenza vaccination reminder text, (2) an option to reply if the vaccine had been received elsewhere, and (3) an option to reply STOP to opt out of receiving further SMS messages. Parents were encouraged to discuss vaccination with their child’s specialist. At the trial conclusion, both groups received an SMS message with a link to a survey.