VOA标准英语2012--Text Messaging Reminders for Flu Vaccinations Get Results

Text Messaging Reminders¹ for Flu Vaccinations³ Get Results

In a world of seven billion people, communications industry records show that nearly six billion of us have access to a cell phone. In developing countries, health care workers in rural areas use mobile phones to connect with doctors and get instructions on patient care. 

US researchers wondered if using a cell phone to text vaccination² reminders to parents would result in more children being protected from the flu virus -- and in fewer hospitalizations.

“We wanted to know whether children of parents who were sent text messages would be more likely to receive an influenza⁴ vaccination than those who weren’t texted,” Dr. Melissa Stockwell said. 

Dr. Stockwell led a randomized trial involving more than 9,000 children and teenagers under the age of 18. One group of parents received only automated⁵ telephone reminders and were told how to access informational flyers about the flu. The other group received text messages telling them about the virus and vaccine⁶ safety -- plus reminders to get their children vaccinated⁷.

In the text messages, Dr. Stockwell wanted to clear up some common misperceptions about the virus. “Many people think that the flu is just a bad cold or they think that they or their child aren’t at risk for the flu,” she stated. 

Dr. Stockwell texted parents in the second group in the fall -- before the flu season started -- and again in the spring -- to find out how many of the children had been vaccinated. She found that parents who received text messages were more likely to get their children immunized than parents who only got the automated phone calls.

Although the difference in vaccination rates between the two groups was small, researchers found the results promising⁸. They say if texting is used across the country, the end result could be fewer hospitalizations and two and a half million healthier kids. 

The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. 

1 reminders   

n.令人回忆起…的东西( reminder的名词复数 )；提醒…的东西；（告知该做某事的）通知单；提示信

参考例句：

• The film evokes chilling reminders of the war. 这部电影使人们回忆起战争的可怕场景。
• The strike has delayed the mailing of tax reminders. 罢工耽搁了催税单的投寄。

2 vaccination   

n.接种疫苗，种痘

参考例句：

• Vaccination is a preventive against smallpox.种痘是预防天花的方法。
• Doctors suggest getting a tetanus vaccination every ten years.医生建议每十年注射一次破伤风疫苗。

3 vaccinations   

n.种痘，接种( vaccination的名词复数 )；牛痘疤

参考例句：

• Vaccinations ensure one against diseases. 接种疫苗可以预防疾病。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• I read some publicity about vaccinations while waiting my turn at the doctor's. 在医生那儿候诊时，我读了一些关于接种疫苗的宣传。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 influenza   

n.流行性感冒，流感

参考例句：

• They took steps to prevent the spread of influenza.他们采取措施
• Influenza is an infectious disease.流感是一种传染病。

5 automated   

a.自动化的

参考例句：

• The entire manufacturing process has been automated. 整个生产过程已自动化。
• Automated Highway System (AHS) is recently regarded as one subsystem of Intelligent Transport System (ITS). 近年来自动公路系统(Automated Highway System,AHS)，作为智能运输系统的子系统之一越来越受到重视。

6 vaccine   

n.牛痘苗，疫苗；adj.牛痘的，疫苗的

参考例句：

• The polio vaccine has saved millions of lives.脊髓灰质炎疫苗挽救了数以百万计的生命。
• She takes a vaccine against influenza every fall.她每年秋季接种流感疫苗。

7 vaccinated   

[医]已接种的，种痘的，接种过疫菌的

参考例句：

• I was vaccinated against tetanus. 我接种了破伤风疫苗。
• Were you vaccinated against smallpox as a child? 你小时候打过天花疫苗吗？

8 promising   

adj.有希望的，有前途的

参考例句：

• The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
• We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。