Laos Launches Groundbreaking SMS Vaccine Reminder Pilot to Boost Childhood Immunisation
in a bold move to improve childhood immunisation rates, the Ministry of health in Laos has launched a 12-month pilot programme that sends text message (SMS) reminders to parents shortly after their child turns one year old. This innovative initiative, supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Australian Government, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, aims to increase the uptake of critical vaccines for measles, rubella, and polio.
The SMS reminders are managed by the National Immunisation Programme and the Center for Health Statistics and Information, leveraging data from the Electronic Immunisation Register (EIR), a nationwide vaccination database established during the Covid pandemic. This marks the first time the EIR has been used to send targeted text reminders, a step that could revolutionise immunisation efforts in the country.
“These vaccines are crucial for protecting children, and protecting health,” said 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 unluckily we often see drops in vaccine coverage as children get older.”
The pilot focuses on urban areas nationwide, targeting an estimated 50,000 parents with children turning one in the next 12 months. Parents who provided a valid phone number during previous vaccinations will receive timely reminders.Vaccination staff will also encourage newly registering parents to include their phone numbers in the EIR database.
Australia’s Deputy Head of Mission, Benita Sommerville, highlighted the initiative’s potential: “This pilot programme is a great example of how technology can be used to enhance immunisation services and protect children from perilous but preventable diseases and demonstrates Laos’ efforts to ensure they can live the healthy lives they deserve.”
The WHO and UNICEF have also expressed strong support for the programme. Dr Tim Armstrong, WHO Representative to laos, noted, “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, added, “This pilot demonstrates how simple, timely reminders can bridge gaps in immunisation coverage, empowering parents with critical information while ensuring that children receive the protection they need to thrive.”
The EIR, developed in 2022 and deployed nationwide in 2024, has already registered over 515,000 children for one or more vaccines. This pilot represents a notable step forward in leveraging technology to strengthen public health efforts.
| Key Details of the SMS Vaccine Reminder Pilot |
|—————————————————|
| Duration | 12 months |
| target Group | Parents of children turning one year old |
| Estimated Reach | 50,000 parents |
| Vaccines Covered | Measles,rubella,polio |
| Supported By | WHO,Australian Government,Gavi |
| Database Used | Electronic Immunisation register (EIR) |
As the pilot progresses,its success could pave the way for broader applications,ensuring more children in Laos receive the life-saving vaccines they need.
Laos Launches Groundbreaking SMS Vaccine Reminder Pilot to boost Childhood Immunisation
Table of Contents
In a bold move to improve childhood immunisation rates, the Ministry of Health in Laos has launched a 12-month pilot program that sends text message (SMS) reminders to parents shortly after their child turns one year old. This innovative initiative, supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Australian Government, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, aims to increase the uptake of critical vaccines for measles, rubella, and polio. To delve deeper into this groundbreaking effort, we spoke with Dr. Ananya Vora, a global health expert and immunisation specialist.
Understanding the Initiative: goals and Framework
Senior Editor: Dr. Vora, can you start by explaining the primary goals of this SMS vaccine reminder pilot in Laos? What makes it unique compared to other immunisation campaigns?
Dr. Ananya Vora: Absolutely.The primary goal of this pilot is to improve vaccination coverage among children in Laos, particularly for measles, rubella, and polio, wich are highly preventable but remain notable health threats in the region. What makes this initiative unique is its use of technology-backed SMS reminders to directly engage parents. This approach leverages the Electronic Immunisation register (EIR), a robust database established during the COVID pandemic, to send timely reminders to parents. It’s a practical and scalable way to ensure children receive the vaccines they need when they need them.
The Role of technology in Enhancing Immunisation
Senior Editor: Technology plays a pivotal role in this initiative. Can you elaborate on how the EIR database and SMS reminders are being utilised to boost immunisation rates?
Dr. Ananya Vora: Certainly. the EIR is a nationwide vaccination database that was developed in 2022 and fully deployed in 2024. It contains detailed records of over 515,000 children who have received one or more vaccines. This pilot programme uses the EIR to identify parents of children turning one year old in the next 12 months. If a valid phone number is available from previous vaccinations, the system sends SMS reminders to these parents. Additionally,vaccination staff are encouraging newly registering parents to include their phone numbers in the EIR. This ensures that more parents receive timely reminders, bridging gaps in immunisation coverage.
Partnerships and Support for the Programme
Senior Editor: This pilot has garnered support from several international organisations, including the WHO, UNICEF, and the Australian Government.How are these partnerships contributing to its success?
Dr. Ananya Vora: The involvement of these organisations is crucial. The WHO and UNICEF bring their global expertise in immunisation and public health, while the Australian Government provides financial and technical support. Additionally, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has played a key role in ensuring the programme’s sustainability. These partnerships not only lend credibility but also provide the resources needed to scale the initiative if it proves prosperous. as Dr. Tim Armstrong from the WHO mentioned, SMS reminders have been effective globally, and this pilot could set the stage for broader applications in Laos and beyond.
Addressing Challenges and Measuring Success
Senior Editor: What are some of the challenges you anticipate, and how will the success of this pilot be measured?
Dr.Ananya Vora: One of the main challenges is ensuring that all parents have access to mobile phones and can receive SMS reminders.While urban areas are the primary focus of this pilot, rural regions with limited connectivity may face hurdles. Additionally, cultural and language barriers could affect the effectiveness of the messages. Success will be measured by the increase in vaccination rates among the targeted group—parents of children turning one. If the pilot shows a significant uptick in immunisation coverage, it could be expanded to include other vaccines and age groups, as well as adapted for rural areas.
The Broader Implications for Public Health
Senior Editor: Looking ahead, how does this pilot programme fit into broader public health efforts in Laos and perhaps other low-resource settings?
dr. ananya Vora: This pilot represents a significant step forward in leveraging technology to strengthen public health systems. If successful, it could serve as a model for other low-resource countries struggling with immunisation coverage. it also underscores the importance of data-driven approaches in healthcare. By integrating the EIR with SMS reminders, laos is demonstrating how simple, cost-effective interventions can have a profound impact on public health. As Mr. Bilal Durrani from UNICEF pointed out, timely reminders empower parents and ensure children receive the protection they need to thrive.
Conclusion
Senior Editor: Thank you, Dr. Vora,for your insights. It’s clear that Laos’ SMS vaccine reminder pilot is a groundbreaking initiative with the potential to significantly improve child immunisation rates. By combining technology, partnerships, and data-driven strategies, this programme could pave the way for healthier futures for children in laos and beyond.
