Increasing HPV vaccination series completion rates via text message reminders

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Vaccinology
• Adolescent Medicine

Background:

• Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the US, linked to several cancers.
• High rates of HPV infection persist among adolescents and young adults, with low HPV vaccine series completion.
• Cervical, anal-genital, and oral-pharyngeal cancers are associated with HPV infection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of text message reminders in improving HPV vaccine series completion rates.
• To assess HPV vaccine completion at an urban pediatric clinic.

Main Methods:

• Adolescent and young adult participants (aged 11-22) received text message reminders for HPV vaccine doses.
• A study period of 8 months was utilized.
• Completion rates were compared between the text message group, an interested group, and a standard care group.

Main Results:

• 14% of participants receiving text message reminders completed the HPV vaccine series on time.
• 0% of an interested group and 3% of a standard care group completed the series on time.
• Text message reminders demonstrated a notable improvement in timely HPV vaccine completion.

Conclusions:

• Text message reminders are an effective tool for enhancing HPV vaccine series completion in pediatric settings.
• This intervention can help mitigate the public health burden of HPV-related cancers.
• The findings support the integration of text message reminders into routine vaccination protocols.