Do SMS/e-mail reminders increase influenza vaccination of rheumatoid arthritis patients under anti-TNF: a nested randomized controlled trial in the ART e-cohort
Authors: Nguyen Yann , Baron Gabriel , Hamamouche Naima , Belkhir Rakiba , Miconnet Sylvie , Soubrier Martin , Hostachy Camille , Thevenot Pascale , Basch André , Truchetet Marie-Elise , Claudepierre Pascal , Dernis Emmanuelle , Marotte Hubert , Flipo René-Marc , Brocq Olivier , Morel Jacques , Fautrel Bruno , Salliot Carine , Saraux Alain , Leske Charles , Schaeverbeke Thierry , Ravaud Philippe , Mariette Xavier , Ruyssen-Witrand Adeline , Seror Raphaèle ,   ART Study Group§, Seror Raphaèle , Ruyssen-Witrand Adeline , Ravaud Philippe , Mariette Xavier , Gottenberg Jacques-Eric , Combe Bernard , Dougados Maxime , Schaeverbeke Thierry , Flipo René-Marc R M , Constantin Arnaud , Morel Jacques , Saraux Alain , Soubrier Martin , Vittecoq Olivier , Dieudé Philippe , Dernis Emmanuelle , Marotte Hervé , Cantagrel Alain , Avouac Jérôme , Fautrel Bruno , Molto Anna , Berenbaum Francis , Truchetet Marie-Elise , Achiou Sabiha , Allanore Yannick , Andre Vincent , Aprelon Sylvie , Balblanc Jean-Charles , Banneville Beatrice , Barrat Sophie , Berenbaum Francis , Bertel Mélanie , Billey Thierry , Bisson-Vaivre Aurélia , Bitoun Samuel , Bonnet Isabelle , Bourlout Catherine Le , Bourree Thomas , De Cagny Hélène , Cantagrel Alain , Cattelain Elsa , Champs Bénédicte , Chatelais Jeremy , Chazerain Pascal , Constantin Arnaud , Coquerelle Pascal , Cormier Gregoire , Couderc Marion , Couture Guillome , Cozic Celine , Pierre Véronique De Saint , Denis Amélie , Deprez Xavier , Derolez Sophie , Desmoulins Frederic , Dieudé Philippe , Direz Guillaume , Dougados Maxime , Dubost Jean-Jacques , Dugourd Céline , Dunogeant Laetitia , Felten Renaud , Frazier-Mironer Aline , Glace Baptiste , Godot Sophie , Gottenberg Jacques-Eric , Goupille Philippe , Guyot Marie Helene , Henry Julien , Hoefsloot Sabine , Jamard Benedicte , Koch Richard , Labit Melody , Lafforgue Pierre , Lassoued Slim , Leleu Clémentine , Lormeau Christian , Louati Karine , Lucas Fabienne Coury , Marotte Hubert , Mathieu Sylvain , Molto Anna , Moyano Chantal , Mulleman Denis , Ottaviani Sébastien , Pascart Tristan , Pavy Stephan , Pertuiset Edouard , Piot Jean-Maxime , Potin Pierre , Prades Beatrice Pallot , Ramon Andre , Rasasombat Sarah , Richette Pascal , Roux Christian , Royant Valérie , Salmon Jean Hugues , Samain Marine , Thomas Thierry , Thuillier Elisabeth , Thuriaf Céline , Timsit Marie Agnes , Tournadre Anne , Tubery Amandine , Verhoeven Frank , Vial Gaëlle , Vidal François , Wendling Daniel , Zarnitsky Charles 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Objectives
The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of short message service (SMS) and/or email reminders in improving influenza vaccination coverage rates among RA patients treated with anti-TNF therapies, and to identify factors associated with vaccination.

Methods
This study was a nested randomized controlled trial in the ART e-cohort, an ongoing French nationwide multicentre prospective cohort of RA patients treated with anti-TNF therapy. Patients were 1:1 randomized, with stratification on age. The intervention consisted of regular reminders via SMS and/or emails to get vaccinated against influenza during the vaccination campaign. At the end, all participants received a questionnaire. The primary outcome was influenza vaccination coverage. Secondary outcomes included the vaccination coverage before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and factors associated with vaccination.

Results
Between October 2021 and April 2022, 446 participants were randomized (224 to the intervention group and 222 to the control group). Among them, 325 (73%) reported their vaccination status and 221 (68%) were vaccinated against influenza: 116/158 (73%) in the intervention group, vs 105/167 (63%) in the control group (relative risk 1.08; 95% CI 0.95–1.23). The vaccination coverage before and after the COVID-19 pandemic did not differ (72% vs 72%; 95% CI −8% to 8%). Age ≥65 years [odds ratio (OR) 6.25; 95% CI 2.88–13.60] and previous influenza vaccination in the years before inclusion (OR 7.81; 95% CI 4.36–14.02) were associated with higher rates of vaccination

Conclusion
SMS and/or e-mail reminders did not significantly improve influenza vaccination rates in our cohort. The COVID-19 pandemic did not substantially impact the influenza vaccination coverage. Our results might be counterbalanced by an already high vaccination coverage.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov, http://clinicaltrials.gov, NCT05220423, NCT03062865.