Coverage for the entire population: tackling immunization rates and disparities in Saskatoon Health Region.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine the effectiveness of an intervention- the Immunization Reminders Project- in terms of a) improving vaccination coverage rates for measles- mumps and rubella (MMR) among 2-year-olds and b) ameliorating geographical disparities in early childhood immunization coverage. TARGET POPULATION: All 14-month-old and 20-month-old children in Saskatoon Health Region who were overdue for their immunizations. SETTING: Saskatoon Health Region (SHR). INTERVENTION: The intervention involved calling the parents/caregivers of the children in the target population with a reminder about immunizations. After five telephone calls and if the parent/caregiver could not be reached- a letter was mailed to the last known address. If there was no response to the letter- a reminder home visit was attempted for families residing in the low-income neighbourhoods in Saskatoon. Since January 2009- all reminders for families not residing in the low-income neighbourhoods in Saskatoon are made through ma