States Using Text Messages To Help People Get COVID-19 Vaccinations

click to expand

By: KDKA-TV News Staff

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Some states and jurisdictions are texting people to get them vaccinated against COVID-19.

They are using data from a study on flu vaccination rates as the inspiration for this program.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found text messages about the flu vaccine increased the vaccination rate by about 5%.

Messages that told patients a vaccine was "reserved" or "waiting" for them were the messages that performed the best.

They also found that text messaging using humor didn't work as well.

Now, health officials are hoping the same trick will work with the COVID-19 vaccines.