Vaccination against serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis: Perceptions and attitudes of parents

A vaccine against serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis, major cause of bacterial meningitis in children and adults, has recently been developed. In a context of an increasing parental mistrust against vaccinations, understanding the reason for their choices is crucial in order to improve immunization coverage. Our study aimed at evaluating parental attitudes and perceptions towards serogroup B meningococcal invasive disease vaccination.

A prospective observational study was conducted in different French independent-practice medical offices (general practitioners and paediatricians) and nurseries between May 1 and December 31, 2013, using a questionnaire distributed in electronic and paper forms to parents having at least one child between the ages of 2 months and 16 years old.

1270 parents were included, of whom 671 (52.8%) spontaneously stated to be in favour of this vaccination. Their choice was mainly justified by the severity of the disease (63.8%) and the desire to protect their child (51.7%). In multivariate analysis, the young age of parents (OR 0.949 per additional year; p<10(-3)), the history of vaccination against serogroup C meningococcal invasive diseases (OR 6.755; p<10(-3)), and the prior knowledge of the vaccine (OR 2.081; p=0.001) were associated with vaccination acceptance. The main reasons for refusal were the lack of hindsight on this new vaccine (50.6%) and the fear of side effects (45.5%). After objective information on the disease and the vaccine, only 6.3% of the entire responding population would refuse to consider vaccination.

The spontaneous acceptance rate of vaccination against serogroup B meningococcal invasive disease is insufficient. However, after objective information by their physician or public health authorities, only a few parents would in the end be completely resistant.