Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
By the end of the presentation participants will be able to:
• Develop a low cost statewide reminder / recall initiative
• Understand the average successful recall rate per 1000 reminders sent
• Predict side benefits from a targeted reminder / recall campaign (e.g., parent/sibling vaccinations, updated historical records, other non-recalled vaccinations received).



Background:
Louisiana has a large percentage of the population that receives immunizations via the public health clinics. As a result, the state has sought out a centralized approach to improve immunization rates.


Setting:
Nine public health regions in the State of Louisiana.


Population:
Public health clients, ages 0 – 24 months.


Project Description:
The State of Louisiana Office of Public Health conducted two statewide reminder/recall efforts in 2005. The reminder / recall project consisted of two parts: preparing and sending reminder / recall postcards to public health clients, and executing the immunization drill. Based on the lessons learned from a statewide recall drill in 2004, reminder / recall postcards were sent utilizing the low-cost services from the United States Postal Service (USPS). In addition, the USPS service provider added bar coding font so that bar codes were printed on the postcards to facilitate faster point-of-service patient searches. The immunization drills were conducted over a one week period. When the clients came to the public health clinics, each client received all immunizations that were due at no cost – regardless of whether they received a reminder.


Results/Lessons Learned:
The logistics of coordinating a statewide recall can be greatly simplified and the cost can be reduced by taking advantage of third party mailing services. In addition, a statewide reminder / recall effort makes an impact on overall immunization rates. The reminder / recall effort has numerous positive effects beyond the targeted age group and targeted vaccinations: including updated historical records and administration of non-recalled vaccinations.