RecruitingACTRN12618000789268

AUTOMATIC: Adaptive Trial of Messaging to Improve Immunisation Coverage

Randomised multi-arm Bayesian adaptive trial of SMS reminders to improve the timeliness of routine vaccination in children

Sponsor

Telethon Kids Institute

Enrollment

10,000 participants

Start Date

Jan 14, 2021

Study Type

Interventional

Conditions

Vaccine coverage Vaccination Immunisation

Summary

We aim to conduct randomised multi-arm Bayesian adaptive trial of SMS reminders to determine whether personalised provider-initiated SMS reminders are effective for improving the timeliness of routine vaccination among Australian children. Parents will be enrolled across multiple SmartVax GP clinics and community-based providers in Western Australia.

Eligibility

Sex: Both males and femalesMin Age: 18 Yearss

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

Keeping children's vaccinations up to date on schedule protects individual children and the whole community from serious preventable diseases. But busy families sometimes miss appointments — and a well-timed reminder can make all the difference. This study is testing whether personalised SMS reminders sent by a child's own GP or vaccination clinic help parents bring their children in for vaccinations on time. Using an innovative Bayesian adaptive trial design (which adjusts which reminder types are tested based on how well each is working in real time), the study will compare different types of SMS messages to find out which wording, timing, and approach is most effective. Parents of children aged six weeks to four years at participating GP clinics and community vaccination centres in Western Australia will be enrolled. You may be eligible if you are a parent (18 or older) with a child aged six weeks to four years who is registered with a participating GP or community vaccination clinic, has a mobile number on file, and is due for an upcoming vaccine. Parents who have requested no SMS contact, or who are known to vaccinate elsewhere or have conscientious objections to vaccination, are not eligible. This study is run through the Telethon Kids Institute and could directly improve vaccination rates across Australia.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

One of 12 active arms covering two domains: (i) SMS content (neutral, positive, negative or social norms) and (ii) timing (-14, 0 or +7 days relative to the vaccination due date); Neutral messages

One of 12 active arms covering two domains: (i) SMS content (neutral, positive, negative or social norms) and (ii) timing (-14, 0 or +7 days relative to the vaccination due date); Neutral messages consist of :“[CLINIC NAME]: [Child’s name] is due for a X-month vaccination on XX/XX/XX. To book or opt-out of SMS, call XXXX XXXX. Replies are not monitored, pls ignore SMS if you have an appt” Positive messages consist of :“[CLINIC NAME]: [Child’s name] is due for a vaccination on XX/XX/XX. Vaccinating on time gives [Child’s name] the best defence against infectious diseases. To book or opt-out of SMS, call XXXX XXXX. Replies are not monitored, pls ignore SMS if you have an appt” Negative messages consist of :“[CLINIC NAME]: [Child’s name] is due for a vaccination on XX/XX/XX. Delaying a child’s vaccination can put them and other children at risk. To book or opt-out of SMS, call XXXX XXXX. Replies are not monitored, pls ignore SMS if you have an appt” Social norm messages consist of :“[CLINIC NAME]: [Child’s name] is due for a vaccination on XX/XX/XX. Vaccinating on time protects [Child’s name] and other children who are too young to be vaccinated. To book or opt-out of SMS, call XXXX XXXX. Replies are not monitored, pls ignore SMS if you have an appt” Neutral SMS sent 14 days before the due-date OR Positive SMS sent 14 days before the due-date OR Negative SMS sent 14 days before the due-date OR Social Norms SMS sent 14 days before the due-date OR Neutral SMS sent on the due-date OR Positive SMS sent on the due-date OR Negative SMS sent on the due-date OR Social Norms SMS sent on the due-date OR Neutral SMS sent 7 days after the due-date OR Positive SMS sent 7 days after the due-date OR Negative SMS sent 7 days after the due-date OR Social Norms SMS sent 7 days after the due-date