How Do Physicians Immunize Their Own Children? Differences Among Pediatricians and Nonpediatricians

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Context. Immunization has an essential impact on public health worldwide. Numerous studies have shown the efficacy of different vaccines to protect individuals from various diseases. However, some parents choose not to vaccinate their children for reasons such as, among others, doubts regarding their usefulness, concerns over safety or efficacy, etc. Physicians are known to exert a direct influence on immunization rates by answering questions and clarifying misconceptions. Yet, it is unknown how they immunize their own children.Objective. We sought to assess how physicians interested in vaccination issues immunized, or would immunize, their own children.Design, Setting, and Participants. An 11-question, Webbased survey with a total of 102 discrete answers was sent to 2070 Swiss physicians in October 2004. All physicians were subscribers to a nonprofit, Web-based expert network (InfoVac, www.infovac.ch) that distributes monthly newsletters and answers question within 2 days on immunization issues. The InfoVac network reaches >95% of pediatricians in Switzerland but <20% of general practitioners. All responses were anonymous, and no identifier could be used to trace the participants of the survey. Questions were divided into 2 parts: (1) physicians who were parents were asked which vaccines they gave to their own children and at what age, and (2) all physicians were asked which vaccines they would give to their own child and at what age if they had a newborn child in 2004. Vaccines available in Switzerland at the time of the survey were offered as possible replies, and recommended vaccines were considered as those noted in the Swiss federal immunization schedule issued yearly. One question compared their immunization practice between their own children and their patients. Sociodemographics, qualifying year, membership in different professional groups, and their type of practice were also requested.Statistics. Standard descriptive statistics were used for sociodemographic characteristics. Univariate statistical analyses were performed for each variable to determine its relationship to the dependent variable, being a pediatrician or nonpediatrician. Logistic-regression analysis was used to calculate the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), controlling for any statistically significant demographic variables that might function as confounders (gender, parenthood, workplace, year of diploma, and type of practice). For all statistical tests, differences were considered significant at P < .05.Main Outcome Measure. We performed a comparison of past and projected immunization rates in the children of pediatricians and nonpediatricians.Results. One thousand seventeen valid questionnaires were received (response rate: 49.1%; pediatricians: 53.3%). Nine hundred fifteen physicians (90%) had >1 child. All physicians reported immunizing children in their practice. Pediatricians were more likely to be women and to work in private practice than nonpediatricians but less likely to belong to a sel...

Acceptability of live attenuated influenza vaccine by vaccine providers in Quebec, Canada

“…Health professionals' knowledge and attitudes about vaccines have previously been shown to be an important determinant of their own vaccine uptake, their intention to recommend the vaccine to their patients and the vaccine uptake of their patients. 8,[21][22][23][24][25] To conclude, results of this study indicate an overall high acceptability of seasonal influenza vaccination among Quebec vaccine providers. Despite the fact that vaccine providers held positive attitudes toward LAIV, the low uptake for LAIV observed in Quebec despite free vaccines and preferential recommendation to use LAIV over TIV warrants further studies.…”

Vaccine hesitancy

“…71 However, more research is needed to assess whether individuals who already professionals' knowledge and attitudes about vaccines have previously been shown to be an important determinant of their own vaccine uptake, their intention to recommend the vaccine to their patients and the vaccine uptake of their patients. [92][93][94][95][96][97] Findings of a review on determinants of nurses' practices regarding influenza vaccination indicate a relationship between knowledge, attitudes and vaccination practices. In the 12 research studies included in this review, higher knowledge and positive attitudes toward influenza vaccination were positively associated with vaccination coverage among nurses and there was also an association between nurses' vaccination status and their reported promotion of vaccination to their patients.…”

“…The authors concluded that fear of "immune overload" among these health care providers means that they are unlikely to answer parental concerns adequately. 94 Health professionals are generally strong supporters of vaccination. However, some of them could be categorized as vaccinehesitant.…”

Vaccination practices among physicians and their children

“…Little is documented, however, on how pediatricians vaccinate their children overall [6]. One study in 2005 examined how 93% of Swiss physicians followed immunization recommendations in that country, but no duplicate study has been performed in the United States to date [7]. A number of prior studies have examined reported acceptance of new vaccines including rotavirus, but not their acceptance of the overall vaccine schedule of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) [8][9][10][11].…”