E-mail as a way of communication during the ACWY meningococcal vaccination campaign in adolescents and young adults in the Region of Murcia

Abstract

In 2019, ACWY meningococcal vaccination for people born between 2001 and 2007 was recommended. In Murcia, during the first 9 months, the coverage was 52.89%. This study is aimed to evaluate the effects of e-mail reminders on vaccination coverage.A longitudinal, prospective trial was performed on non-vaccinated individuals with e-mail addresses. An e-mail reminder was sent to people assigned to the intervention group (born in any month, except January and July), and 4 weeks later, the same was sent to the control group. Vaccination coverage was assessed before and 4 weeks after each intervention.After the first intervention, 5.15% of the participants in the intervention group were vaccinated (1.57% in the control group). The increased likelihood of being vaccinated if a person had been sent an e-mail was 1.033 (95% confidence interval, 1.019–1.047; p = 0.001).This study highlighted the impact of e-mail as an appropriate method of communication for vaccination programmes.

Keywords

• ACWY meningococcal vaccine
• Communication strategies
• Reminder strategies
• E-mail
• Adolescent
• Vaccination campaign