Survey of Physician Practices, Attitudes, and Knowledge Regarding Recombinant Zoster Vaccine

Abstract

Background Herpes zoster vaccination rates remain low despite longstanding national recommendations to vaccinate immunocompetent adults aged ≥ 50 years. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP) updated its recommendations for recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) in October 2021 to include immunocompromised adults aged ≥19 years. Objective To assess practices, attitudes, and knowledge about RZV, barriers to recommending RZV, and likelihood of recommending RZV to patients with various immunocompromising conditions. Design Mail and internet-based survey conducted from May through July 2020. Participants General internists and family physicians throughout the USA. Main Measures Survey responses. Key Results The response rate was 66% (632/955). Many physicians were already recommending RZV to immunocompromised populations, including adults ≥50 years with HIV (67% of respondents) and on recombinant human immune modulator therapy (56%). Forty-seven percent of respondents both stocked/administered RZV and referred patients elsewhere, frequently a pharmacy, for vaccination; 42% did not stock RZV and only referred patients. The majority agreed pharmacies do not inform them when RZV has been given (64%). Physicians were generally knowledgeable about RZV; however, 25% incorrectly thought experiencing side effects from the first dose of RZV that interfere with normal activities was a reason to not receive the second dose. The top reported barrier to recommending RZV was experience with patients declining RZV due to cost concerns (67%). Most physicians reported they would be likely to recommend RZV to immunocompromised patients. Conclusion Most primary care physicians welcome updated ACIP RZV recommendations for immunocompromised adults. Knowledge gaps, communication issues, and financial barriers need to be addressed to optimize vaccination delivery. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11606-022-07721-z.

The Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Among Makkah Physicians Towards Herpes Zoster Vaccination, Saudi Arabia, 2023

“…Barriers to shingles vaccination among study participants included participant's perception that they were not at risk of getting shingles (33%). In about 27.5% of participants, the barrier was concerned about the vaccine's side effects, this was different from the findings mentioned in one parallel study in which the main barriers were found to be the cost and availability [20].…”

“…Assessing KAP regarding HZ vaccination is significant as the role of the doctor in knowledge distribution and patient's awareness depends on the level of awareness of the doctor. In addition, knowledge about shingles vaccine is important in certain situations in which any particular patient should be advised to get a shingles vaccination shot or not [ 20 ].…”

“…Then the sample was selected randomly from each sector using a simple random technique. The total number of healthcare workers (HCWs) in Makkah City was 4,869, according to the last Ministry of Health yearly statistical book 1440 [ 20 ]. The estimated number of HCWs was around 1800 roughly, while the estimated number of physicians was 250.…”

Updated Public Health Impact and Cost Effectiveness of Recombinant Zoster Vaccine in Canadian Adults Aged 50 Years and Older

“…Increasing first-dose coverage had a large impact on the potential public health impact of RZV. Research has shown that barriers to HZ vaccination include vaccine distrust [ 53 ], cost concerns [ 54 , 55 ], and low perceived risk [ 55 ]. However, uptake and/or completion could potentially be improved by provider education [ 56 , 57 ], physician’s recommendations [ 55 ], nurse/pharmacy administration [ 56 ], and use of prompts/reminders [ 56 , 58 ].…”

Dutch Healthcare Professionals’ Opinion on the Allocation of Responsibilities concerning Prescribing and Administering Medically Indicated Vaccines to Immunocompromised Patients

“…Studies among gastro-enterologists and rheumatologists in the USA and Canada with a similar design also reported a lack of consensus on who is responsible for identifying and administering vaccinations, as well as a lack of knowledge [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. Other frequently reported barriers are lack of reimbursement, lack of priority, and lack of time [ 25 , 29 ].…”