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Paediatricians require more information before they routinely co-administer the meningococcal B vaccine with routine
Angelika Wagner1, Michael Kundi2, Karl Zwiauer3
1Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Insights
Austrian pediatricians viewed the four-component meningococcal serogroup B (4CMenB) vaccine as essential but hesitated to co-administer it with other infant vaccines. They requested national guidance on timing and more information for parents before routine use.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Vaccinology
- Public Health Policy
Background:
- The four-component meningococcal serogroup B (4CMenB) vaccine was approved in Europe in 2013.
- Meningococcal B disease remains a significant public health concern, particularly in infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess Austrian pediatricians' attitudes towards the 4CMenB vaccine prior to its 2014 introduction.
- To evaluate current practices regarding co-administration of multiple infant vaccines.
Main Methods:
- A nationwide web-based survey was distributed to 1624 Austrian pediatricians.
- A response rate of 231 pediatricians was achieved.
Main Results:
- Most pediatricians considered the 4CMenB vaccine necessary but were reluctant to co-administer it with routine infant vaccines.
- Concerns about lack of experience and parental consent were primary reasons for not co-administering.
- A majority of pediatricians (58.9%) already co-administered the hexavalent and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines but were hesitant to add a third vaccine.
Conclusions:
- Pediatricians require additional information for themselves and parents to confidently administer the 4CMenB vaccine routinely.
- A national recommendation on the optimal timing for 4CMenB vaccine administration is crucial for its widespread adoption.
Aim:
The four-component meningococcal serogroup B (4CMenB) vaccine was licensed by the European Medicines Agency in 2013. We evaluated current practice regarding multiple vaccines and the attitudes of paediatricians towards the 4CMenB before it became available in Austria in 2014.
Methods:
We sent 1624 Austrian paediatricians an email invitation to participate in our nationwide web-based survey and 231 responded.
Results:
Most participants regarded the 4CMenB vaccine as a long-needed and necessary tool against meningococcal B disease. However, most participants would not co-administer this vaccine with other routine infant vaccines. The survey showed that 58.9% of paediatricians already co-administered the hexavalent vaccine with the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, but most of them would not add a third vaccine at the same visit. This was mainly due to lack of experience with the vaccine and also because they assumed that parents would not consent. Importantly, paediatricians said they wanted an explicit recommendation in the Austrian Immunisation Plan on the timing of the 4CMenB vaccine before they would confidently and routinely use it for infants.
Conclusion:
Paediatricians required more information for themselves and for parents before routinely co-administering the 4CMenB vaccine. They also requested a national recommendation on its timing.
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