Laos Launches Innovative Text Reminder Program for Child Vaccinations
In a move to considerably improve childhood immunization rates, the Ministry of Health in Laos has launched a 12-month pilot program utilizing text message reminders for parents.
Supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Australian Government, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the program aims to increase the uptake of crucial vaccines like measles, rubella, and polio. By directly reaching parents on their mobile phones, the initiative hopes to combat the common trend of declining vaccination rates as children age.
“Thes vaccines are crucial for protecting children, and protecting health,” emphasized Deputy Minister of Health Dr Phayvanh Keopaseuth. “Through this pilot, and use of technology, we aim to improve coverage and ensure more children are safeguarded from vaccine-preventable diseases, as regrettably we often see drops in vaccine coverage as children get older.”
This pilot program will mark the first time the Electronic Immunisation Register (EIR), a centralized vaccination database established during the COVID-19 pandemic, is used to deliver targeted text reminders. The EIR contains vital data about each child’s vaccination history and will be instrumental in identifying eligible parents for the reminder service.
“This trial has a promising start and I commend the Ministry of Health teams and development partners for their support and efforts,” added Dr. Keopaseuth.
Australia, a strong supporter of laos’ healthcare initiatives, fully backs this program.”Australia is committed to supporting Laos’ efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of it’s people,” stated Australian Deputy Head of Mission, Benita Sommerville. “This pilot program is a great example of how technology can be used to enhance immunization services and protect children from dangerous but preventable diseases and demonstrates Laos’ efforts to ensure thay can live the healthy lives they deserve,” echoed the Australian Embassy.
Focusing on urban areas and cities nationwide, the pilot will reach an estimated 50,000 parents with children turning one year old within the next year. Vaccination staff across the country will actively encourage new parents to provide their phone numbers during their children’s registration into the EIR system,ensuring as many families as possible benefit from this valuable service.
The WHO and UNICEF are also actively involved in supporting this initiative.
“WHO is proud to have supported this innovative programme,” said WHO Representative to Laos, Dr. Tim Armstrong. “Globally, we have seen the power of SMS reminders for improving vaccination coverage in many areas. If successful, the pilot might potentially be expanded to include other vaccinations and approaches.”
Mr. Bilal Durrani, UNICEF’s Country Representative to Laos, further emphasizes the potential of the program: ”This pilot demonstrates how simple, timely reminders can bridge gaps in immunization coverage, empowering parents with critical information while ensuring that children receive the protection they need to thrive.”
The development and nationwide implementation of the EIR were initiated in 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic, with collaborative support from WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, and the Government of Japan. Today, the EIR boasts over 515,000 registered children, showcasing its significance in strengthening Laos’ vaccination efforts.
in what ways coudl the Electronic Immunisation Register (EIR) contribute to improving the effectiveness of the text reminder program beyond simply identifying eligible parents?
Laos Launches Innovative Text Reminder Program for Child Vaccinations: an Interview with Dr. Keopaseuth
Laos is taking a significant step towards improving childhood immunization rates with a new pilot program utilizing text message reminders for parents. Archyde News editor spoke with Dr. Phayvanh Keopaseuth, Deputy minister of Health, about this innovative initiative.
Archyde: Dr. Keopaseuth, can you tell us about the new text reminder program for childhood vaccinations?
Dr. Keopaseuth: Absolutely. We’ve launched a 12-month pilot program supported by the World Health Organisation,the Australian Government,and Gavi,the Vaccine Alliance. This program aims to boost vaccination coverage for crucial vaccines like measles,rubella,and polio,particularly as children get older,where we often see declines.
Archyde: How will the program work in practice?
Dr. Keopaseuth: The Electronic Immunisation Register (EIR), a centralized vaccination database established during the COVID-19 pandemic, will be instrumental. It contains vital data on each child’s vaccination history. We’ll use the EIR to identify eligible parents and send targeted text message reminders.
Archyde: Why is targeting parents via SMS considered effective?
Dr. Keopaseuth: Text messages are a convenient and widely accessible communication tool. Many parents rely heavily on their mobile phones, making it a great way to reach them directly and remind them about upcoming vaccination appointments.
Archyde: What impact do you hope this pilot program will have?
Dr. Keopaseuth: Our goal is to significantly improve vaccination coverage, ensuring more children are protected from preventable diseases. If successful, we hope to expand the program nationwide and potentially include reminders for other vaccinations.
Archyde: Australia has been a strong supporter of Laos’ healthcare initiatives. What’s their role in this program?
Dr. Keopaseuth: Australia has been incredibly supportive, providing valuable assistance and resources. They believe this pilot program demonstrates the potential of technology to enhance immunization services and protect children.
Archyde: Dr. Keopaseuth, what message would you like to send to parents in Laos?
Dr. Keopaseuth: Vaccinations are crucial for protecting your child’s health. Please ensure your child is fully vaccinated and stay informed about upcoming appointments. Don’t hesitate to contact your healthcare provider if you have any questions.
Archyde: Thank you, Dr. Keopaseuth, for your insights. Now, we ask our readers: What are your thoughts on utilizing technology like text message reminders to improve vaccination rates? Share your opinions in the comments below.
