UK paediatricians' attitudes towards the chicken pox vaccine: The SPOTTY study
Elizabeth O'Mahony1, Susan M Sherman2, Robin Marlow3
1Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, St Marys Hospital, Praed Street, London W2 1NY, United Kingdom.
Insights
Most UK paediatricians support the chicken pox vaccine for routine immunisation, but many lack confidence advising parents due to insufficient information. Targeted education is needed before national rollout.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Chicken pox (varicella) vaccine has been available since the 1990s.
- The UK recommended routine inclusion in November 2023, but implementation is pending.
- Paediatricians' attitudes and practices influence parental vaccine decisions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore UK paediatricians' attitudes towards the chicken pox vaccine.
- To assess their personal and professional use of the vaccine.
- To identify barriers to recommending the vaccine.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional online survey was conducted.
- Structured questionnaires assessed attitudes and knowledge.
- Data collected from UK-based paediatricians between June and September 2023.
Main Results:
- 78% of 272 respondents agreed on routine inclusion.
- 52% reported vaccinating their own children.
- 42% felt unable to advise parents due to insufficient information.
Conclusions:
- A majority of paediatricians support the chicken pox vaccine's routine inclusion.
- A significant proportion lack adequate information to advise parents.
- Targeted education is crucial before the vaccine's national rollout.
Objectives:
An effective vaccine for chicken pox has been included in immunisation schedules since the 1990s. In the UK the recommendation for routine inclusion came in November 2023; it has not yet been implemented. We explored paediatricians' attitudes towards the vaccine and their personal and professional use; as this has been shown to be an influential factor in parents' vaccine decision making.
Methods:
We conducted a cross-sectional online survey using a structured questionnaire exploring attitudes and knowledge towards the chicken pox vaccine of UK based paediatricians between June and September 2023.
Results:
We received 272 responses, 211 female (78%), 228 based in England (85%) with remainder in Wales (23), Scotland (8) and Northern Ireland (9); 150 (56%) reporting practicing paediatrics <10 years. The majority (n = 207; 78%) agreed that the chicken pox vaccine should be included in the UK routine schedule. Half the cohort, 52% (n = 135), reported having their own children vaccinated against chicken pox, 73% of those with appropriately aged children. Most, 86% (n = 225), recommended the vaccine to family and friends routinely or when asked; however, 42% (n = 108) did not feel able to advise patients' parents due to insufficient information. Of those who do not recommend the vaccine to family and friends, 22 (59%) reported insufficient information to discuss in a professional setting. Of those who did not think it should be included, or were unsure, 38/55 (69%) also felt they had insufficient information to advise parents regarding the vaccine.
Conclusions:
Whilst many paediatricians choose to vaccinate their children and agreed the chicken pox vaccine should be added to the routine schedule, the proportion disagreeing is not insignificant. Targeted education to improve paediatricians' knowledge of the chicken pox vaccine and their confidence discussing it should be implemented prior to the national roll out.
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