[Perceptions of hepatitis B vaccination in France. Analysis of three surveys]

The main target for hepatitis B vaccination has never been reached, since less than 30% of infants were immunized in 2000. We wished to examine what might explain this situation by surveying attitudes within the general public and among vaccinators.

We analyzed and compared the data on hepatitis B vaccination from three quantitative surveys conducted by the National Institute of Prevention and Health Education in 2003-2005.

Even those physicians (especially pediatricians) who are favorable to hepatitis B immunization do not always apply recommendations; 95% of physicians stated their patients are rather reticent to participate. Regarding the general public, less than half of French adults would be prepared to have their infant immunized against hepatitis B.

The usefulness of immunizing infants, rather than the absence of adverse events, should be put forth as the main argument in favour of hepatitis B immunization, both for physicians and the larger public.