Timeliness of Immunization and Compliance Assessment Study (TICA)

Although coverage for primary childhood immunizations has improved, a significant proportion of young children and pregnant women living in low-resource settings remain inadequately immunized. While young children receive some primary vaccines, many are never fully vaccinated. Progressive decline in immunizations are in large part attributable to poor follow-up and compliance. Major challenges include maintaining immunization records linked to positive identification of the individual child, incentivizing follow-up and return immunizations and efficiently identifying and targeting non-compliant subjects. Mobile-phone costs have decreased dramatically in the developing world with rapid proliferation of web and mobile-phone connectivity. Novel approaches that integrate these modern technologies with existing resources in low and middle income countries can cost-effectively address these challenges. In this proposal, investigators will evaluate a novel software platform, utilizing biometric identification and of subjects, paired with intelligent and subject-aware, mobile-phone reminders and compliance-linked incentives to improve uptake and coverage of primary vaccinations in young children.