Vaccination of cancer patients treated with chemotherapy: A survey among general practitioners

Despite specific recommendations issued by the French Public Health Council (Haut Conseil de Santé Publique), the vaccination coverage of patients with cancer or malignant blood disease remains insufficient. The aim of this study was to assess the vaccination of chemotherapy patients by their general practitioner (GP).

A survey was conducted between March and July 2017 in 4 French departments to describe the immunization practices of GPs for their chemotherapy patients and provide solutions to help to increase the vaccination rate.

Of the 1610 GPs who received the questionnaire, 287 (17.8%) returned a usable form; 92.6% were globally pro-vaccine. One third of GPs (37.3%) declared that they vaccinated all their chemotherapy patients. The GPs (n=180) who never or only sometimes vaccinated their chemotherapy patients mainly voiced concerns about not being properly trained (45.6%) and the lack of easily available information on vaccination (35.0%). Three-quarters (n=212; 74%) of the GPs wanted to improve their level of medical knowledge via continuing education (52.4%) or by reading guidelines available on-line (39.6%). GPs suggested that a specific vaccination schedule be included in the letter they receive from the cancer specialist (72.8%) and that patient awareness be increased (50.5%).

GPs are in favor of the vaccination of cancer patients. The main obstacles stated are the lack of education and the lack of easily available information. Vaccination coverage could be increased by improving the doctor-to-doctor relation between GPs and cancer specialists.