COVID-19 Booster Dose Reminder/Recall for Adolescents: Findings From a Health-Care System in Wisconsin

Abstract

Purpose: This study assessed efficacy of one-time COVID-19 booster reminder/recall for booster eligible adolescents in a health-care system in Wisconsin.

Methods: COVID-19 booster eligible patients aged 12-17 years were randomized 1:1 to receive one reminder/recall message from the health-care system using the parent's preferred communication method (intervention) or no reminder/recall (usual care) in May 2022.

Results: Reminder/recall was sent to 2,146/4,296 (50%) adolescent patients. During the 90-day evaluation period following randomization, booster dose receipt was 2.0 percentage points (CI: 0.3%-3.7%) higher in the intervention (10.0%) versus usual care groups (8.0%). Among patients with ≥1 preventive visit during the evaluation period, uptake was 7.5 percentage points higher in the intervention (16.4%) versus usual care groups (8.9%).

Discussion: A single COVID-19 booster dose reminder/recall resulted in a small but statistically significant increase in booster dose receipt, though uptake overall was low. Additional strategies are needed to increase uptake.

Keywords: Adolescents; COVID-19 vaccine; Reminder/recall; Rural populations.