Influenza vaccine text message reminders for urban- low-income pregnant women: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the impact of influenza vaccine text message reminders in a low-income obstetric population. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled trial that enrolled 1187 obstetric patients from 5 community-based clinics in New York City. The intervention group received 5 weekly text messages regarding influenza vaccination starting mid-September 2011 and 2 text message appointment reminders. Both groups received standard automated telephone appointment reminders. The prespecified endpoints were receipt of either pre- or postpartum influenza vaccination calculated cumulatively at the end of each month (September-December 2011). RESULTS: After adjusting for gestational age and number of clinic visits- women who received the intervention were 30% more likely to be vaccinated as of December 2011 (adjusted odds ratio AOR = 1.30/ 95% confidence interval CI = 1.003- 1.69 end of September: AOR = 1.34/ 95% CI = 0.98- 1.85/ October: AOR = 1.35/ 95% CI = 1.05- 1.75/ November: AOR = 1.27/ 95% CI = 0.98