A study published in Nature shows that sending behaviourally informed text reminders to encourage vaccination is more effective than offering free round-trip Lyft rides to pharmacies for booster shots. The research, conducted with over 3.66 million CVS Pharmacy patients in the US, found that reminders increased 30-day booster uptake by 21% and flu vaccination rates by 8%. Free rides had no measurable benefit beyond reminders. The study also found that laypeople and experts were overly optimistic about the effectiveness of free rides, highlighting the need for more rigorous testing of interventions to promote vaccination. The results suggest that text reminders, which are cost-effective and easy to implement, are a better strategy for increasing vaccination rates than free transportation. The study also found that certain types of reminders, such as those that encourage patients to plan appointments and those that highlight high infection rates in their area, were particularly effective. The findings indicate that attentional hurdles, rather than transportation barriers, are more significant in preventing previously vaccinated individuals from getting booster shots. The study underscores the importance of evidence-based solutions in public health policy.A study published in Nature shows that sending behaviourally informed text reminders to encourage vaccination is more effective than offering free round-trip Lyft rides to pharmacies for booster shots. The research, conducted with over 3.66 million CVS Pharmacy patients in the US, found that reminders increased 30-day booster uptake by 21% and flu vaccination rates by 8%. Free rides had no measurable benefit beyond reminders. The study also found that laypeople and experts were overly optimistic about the effectiveness of free rides, highlighting the need for more rigorous testing of interventions to promote vaccination. The results suggest that text reminders, which are cost-effective and easy to implement, are a better strategy for increasing vaccination rates than free transportation. The study also found that certain types of reminders, such as those that encourage patients to plan appointments and those that highlight high infection rates in their area, were particularly effective. The findings indicate that attentional hurdles, rather than transportation barriers, are more significant in preventing previously vaccinated individuals from getting booster shots. The study underscores the importance of evidence-based solutions in public health policy.