Marian Smith somehow missed getting a flu shot this year, which is unlike her — in the past, she always got one.
The 58-year-old Washington D.C. resident says it was easier to remember to get it when the vaccine was provided at a clinic at work. But now the clinic is a bus ride away, and getting the shot wasn't at the top of her mind.
"Of course, I could get it right here at the grocery store," Smith tells NPR, as she rushes to pick up her lunch. "But I just didn't get it — I don't know, I can't tell you why."
Maybe a reminder from her doctor would have been the nudge she needed. A review
study
The team of researchers reviewed 75 studies from 10 countries. Fifty-eight were performed in the U.S.; the remainder were conducted in Australasia, Europe and Africa.
The research looked at reminders — via phone calls, texts, email, or post cards — for routine immunizations in infants and children, including MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and polio. The scientists also reviewed 24 studies of influenza vaccination in adults, and several studies of vaccination rates for routine adult vaccines against other illnesses, such as tetanus and hepatitis B.
Overall, the scientists say, about 8 percent more people got their vaccination after getting a reminder compared with those who got no reminder. Similar results were found among studies of children and adults.
That may not sound like a lot, the researchers say, but when you consider the population of the U.S., it means many, many infants, children and adults might benefit from a reminder.
"All types of patient reminders and recall are likely to be effective," says
Julie Jacobson Vann
But the most effective reminder, she says, was the "old fashioned telephone call — where somebody personally calls someone and lets them know about the benefits of vaccinations, and invites them to come in and be vaccinated."
The next best reminder? Snail mail or a text message.
Reminders might be particularly useful for flu shots. While about 90 percent of children are
immunized
The vast majority of flu-related hospitalizations and deaths occur among people 65 and older,
Dr. William Schaffner
Fortunately, Schaffner says, there are now two
vaccines
"They give more punch to the immune system," he says, "stimulating it to work better and therefore you get more benefit from the vaccine."
Medicare also covers the cost of the flu vaccine. "All you have to do is roll up your sleeve," Schaffner says. "Nobody reaches into your wallet — it doesn't cost you a penny."
But you do have to remember to get the shot before you're exposed to the flu.
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