Flu season is about to start, and Federal health officials are urging all Americans to get their flu shots as soon as possible. However, the CDC did site concerns that people simply may not take the flu seriously enough. Then they would forget to get their annual shot. Every year, influenza affects hundreds of thousands of people and can be lethal.
Stopping The Flu One Notification At A Time
The spread of the flu can be prevented with a few simple things. Sending out a text reminder can be a big part of that.
1. Keep Your Community Informed
Dr. Thomas Frieden, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told reporters that the “Flu often does not get enough respect.” While the flu can take most people out, for about 24-48 hours, others are not so lucky. The flu can lead to tens of thousands of deaths during severe flu seasons, and about 100 children die each year from the flu. The CDC and other infectious disease specialists still advocate annual vaccination. Sending an annual text reminder, that it’s time to get their vaccination, can encourage people to come in.
2. Reminders Are Proven to Work
Columbia University Medical Center studied the impact text messages have on flu vaccinations. When parents received a text message reminder to bring their children in for a vaccination shot it increased the chance of their return. It’s not just what you say but how you say it. A generic text reminder only brought in 66% of a group of parents. When the message also contained educational material that number rose to over 72%
3. Let the Customers Choose How Your Messages Are Delivered
Getting the message out is one thing, but how a customer wants to receive a message is completely different. Ask the customer for their preferred method of delivery: text message, email, or voice message. This can allow them to set up an appointment quickly and encourage them to come in. If a customer chooses not to receive any messages all hope is not lost. Putting a reminder on your twitter, social media, and signage in your location can get the message out.
4. Attract customers
Since vaccination shots are available at many pharmacies, grocery stores, or health clinics. This is likely to help prevent influenza from having a worse effect than it potentially could. Some companies are even offering incentives to attract new customers. This not only helps the community but your business as well. That’s a win/win.
5. Keep it Simple
Convincing people to come in for a flu vaccination may not be easy, but sending your message out is. IVR Tech Group can help your business raise awareness and send reminders for influenza vaccinations or other notifications. We have built a dashboard that’s easy to use so that you can get your message out. It creates and sends emails, voice messages and text messages to a list of customers. Most importantly, IVR Technology Group follows HIPAA protocols. Our company adheres to national standards to protect individuals’ electronic personal health information. We make mass communication easy, efficient, and effective.