about

SmartStartAllergy is an exciting collaboration between SmartVax and the National Allergy Strategy (NAS) and is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation, and Channel 7 Telethon.

We use SMS and smartphone technology to assist and educate parents about food allergies in infants and identify allergic reactions to food.

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WHY?

Research shows that giving your baby the common allergy causing foods before they are one year of age can greatly reduce the risk of them developing an allergy to that food.

When your baby is ready at around 6 months, but not before 4 months, start to introduce first foods including smooth peanut butter/paste and well-cooked egg. Delaying the introduction of the common allergy causing foods does not prevent food allergy.

Breastfeeding is recommended for the many benefits it provides to both mothers and babies. If breastfeeding, it is important to continue while you introduce solid foods to your baby.

How does it work?

Parents will receive a text message when their baby is 6, 9 and 12 months old to find out if they have introduced solid foods (including peanut). Subsequent messages will ask if their child has had an allergic reaction to any introduced foods. Some parents will only receive a text message at 12 months.
 
Parents will also receive a brief questionnaire to find out about any allergic reactions, family history of allergy, or if their child has eczema.
 
smart_start_food_allergy_sms_text_sample

what do i need to do?

Simply respond with a Y for Yes or N for No.

If you respond Yes, you will receive follow up text messages asking for more information and a short link to a survey.

For the survey, please select the appropriate responses.

 

 

what happens with the information?

The data from SmartStartAllergy, along with all personal information removed, supports the National Allergy Strategy Food Allergy Prevention Project to allow better understanding of this important issue and improve support to GPs and parents.

GPs will be notified of the more serious reactions.

Do I Have To Respond?

No. Participation is entirely voluntary and your care will not be impacted if you choose not to participate.

If you do not wish to participate, simply ignore the message.

If you would prefer not to be sent any further messages, respond STOP to opt out.