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Behaviorally Informed Text Message Nudges to Schedule COVID-19 Vaccinations: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Ashok Reddy1,2,3, John Geyer4, Chelle Wheat5
1Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA. Ashok.Reddy@va.gov.
Journal of General Internal Medicine
|November 4, 2024
Summary
Behaviorally informed text messages did not increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake in Veterans. The study found no significant difference in vaccination rates compared to standard scheduling messages.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
- Health Informatics
Background:
- Vaccine hesitancy can impact COVID-19 vaccination rates among Veterans.
- Behaviorally informed text messages show potential for increasing vaccine uptake.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effectiveness of two behaviorally informed text message interventions on COVID-19 vaccine scheduling and completion among Veterans.
- To compare these interventions against a standard scheduling message.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, three-arm patient-level randomized quality improvement trial.
- 20,523 Veterans were enrolled across two Veterans Health Administration sites between March and May 2021.
- Interventions included standard messages, messages emphasizing social good, and messages highlighting scarcity of appointments.
Main Results:
- The overall vaccine scheduling or completion rate within 7 days was 19%.
- No statistically significant difference in vaccination rates was observed between the social good or scarcity text message groups and the standard message group.
- Secondary outcomes measured at 14 and 30 days also showed no significant differences.
Conclusions:
- During the early stages of vaccine distribution, behaviorally informed text messages did not improve COVID-19 vaccination rates in the Veteran population.
- Standard scheduling messages were as effective as the tested behavioral nudges in promoting vaccination.
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