Parental awareness and utilization of meningococcal serogroup B vaccines in the United States

Abstract

Background Meningococcal serogroup B (MenB) is the most common cause of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in the United States. The US Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends vaccination of healthy adolescents against MenB based on shared clinical decision-making (Category B recommendation). This survey assessed factors associated with MenB vaccine awareness, utilization, and interest among parents/guardians of US adolescents. Methods Survey participants were identified in 2016 through KnowledgePanel®, an online random sample of US households; population-based weighting methodology was used to ensure data reflected a demographically representative population sample. Adults with ≥1 dependent aged 16–19 years were eligible and completed an online questionnaire. Respondents were grouped in terms of MenB vaccination of their child as: 1) vaccinated, 2) intending to vaccinate, 3) MenB vaccine-unaware, or 4) vaccine-aware but not intending to vaccinate. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify factors influencing MenB vaccine awareness and utilization; univariate analyses used the weighted proportion of each group or weighted means, and multivariate analyses used logistic regression models based on the weighted study sample of each group. Results Six hundred nineteen parents/guardians participated, corresponding to 26,266,700 members of the US population after weighting. MenB vaccine awareness was significantly associated with parent race and sex. Specifically, 57% of parents were unaware of MenB vaccines, and there was significantly higher lack of awareness among males and those of Hispanic or non-White ethnicity. In addition, 36% of unaware parents/guardians were interested in and seeking MenB vaccine information from their healthcare provider (HCP), and there was higher interest among parents of Hispanic ethnicity. ‘Vaccinated/intending to vaccinate’ versus ‘not intending to vaccinate’ and ‘vaccinated’ versus ‘intending to vaccinate’ were both strongly associated with whether an HCP had recommended vaccination (odds ratios, 4.81 [95% CI 2.46, 9.35] and 5.66 [95% CI 2.46, 12.87], respectively). Conclusions Racial and socioeconomic disparities exist in the awareness and utilization of MenB vaccines among parents/guardians of US adolescents. HCP discussion and recommendation are critical catalysts for MenB vaccination and underscore the need to accurately interpret and implement the shared clinical decision-making (Category B) recommendation.

Perceptions and Knowledge About the MenB Vaccine Among Parents of High School Students

“…A handful of studies performed outside the United States have assessed parents' perceptions about the MenB vaccine and found most parents have heard of meningitis (80-86%) and wanted their child to receive the MenB vaccine (62-64%) [9][10][11][12]. Within the United States, to our knowledge, only two studies examined parents' awareness about and intention for their highschool-aged children to receive the MenB vaccine [13,14]. Among a 2017 convenience sample of 445 parents of Minnesota high school students, 72% had heard of meningitis, but only 20% were aware of the MenB vaccine [13].…”

“…In this study, compared to parents who had not heard of the vaccine, the odds of parents’ intent to have their child vaccinated increased nearly fourfold among parents aware of the MenB vaccine and threefold among parents at least somewhat concerned about meningitis. A second study included a random sample of 619 parents across the US, and weighted results to correspond with the US population [ 14 ]. Based on the weighted results, an estimated 43% of US parents are aware of the MenB vaccine, and among those only 45% intend to get the MenB vaccine.…”

The Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Meningococcal Vaccination Awareness, Delivery, and Coverage in Adolescents and Young Adults in the United States: A Systematic Review

“…Several studies have shown that there is a lack of meningococcal disease and meningococcal vaccine knowledge among parents [ 12 , 18 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 ]. This lack of awareness has resulted in disparities in meningococcal vaccination rates among those in the 10- to 23-year age range.…”

Understanding and Promoting Racial Diversity in Healthcare Settings to Address Disparities in Pandemic Crisis Management

“… 30 In another study, the authors detail the importance of one-on one discussion to build trust, create awareness, and increase uptake of vaccination amongst the minority group. 31 It is important to emphasize the central role policies and vaccine rationing play in ensuring that disadvantaged communities are given precedence during country-wide vaccination measures.…”