Mobile and Scalable Innovations for Measles Immunization: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Randomized Controlled Trial of the Impact of Mobile Phone Delivered Reminders and Unconditional Travel Subsidies on Measles Vaccination in Western Kenya: The Mobile and Scalable Innovations for Measles Immunization (M-SIMI) Trial

The overall objective is to test the impact of short message service (SMS) reminders, with or without unconditionally provided mobile-money incentives, can improve measles vaccination coverage in rural western Kenyan infants.

Primary Objective The primary objective is to determine if text message reminders, with or without unconditionally provided incentives, can increase the proportion of children who receive measles vaccination by 15% at age ten months as compared to control arm children.

Secondary Objectives

1. To conduct a secondary analysis of the primary outcome using survival analysis and time-to-immunization curves.
2. To determine if there is a differential effect on measles vaccine coverage based on mobile phone ownership and distance to the clinic.
3. To examine the effect of the interventions on measles coverage measured at twelve months of age.
4. To examine the completeness and costs of identifying children through a CHW approach versus the standard HDSS approach.
5. To evaluate the effect of the interventions on coverage of second dose of measles vaccine at 24 months. This secondary objective is contingent on receiving additional funding.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Caregiver of infant aged 6-8 months at time of enrollment
• Self-reported resident of one of the study villages; where the definition of a resident is defined by caregiver
• Willing to sign informed consent for the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Child of enrolled caregiver has already received one dose of measles vaccine, not including any supplemental measles vaccines
• Caregiver plans to move away in the next 6 months