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Influenza vaccination of high-risk children: a survey of three physician groups
M Ipp1, C Macarthur, P Winders
1Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario. mm.ipp@utoronto.ca
Insights
Physician attitudes toward pediatric influenza vaccination vary, with community pediatricians more likely to recommend it. Further physician education and improved provincial strategies are needed to boost vaccination rates.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Public health and epidemiology
- Healthcare provider practices
Background:
- Influenza vaccination is crucial for child health.
- Understanding physician variability in vaccination practices is essential for improving uptake.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess variations in physician knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding pediatric influenza vaccination.
- To identify differences in vaccination recommendations and practices among family physicians, community pediatricians, and subspecialists.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was distributed to a random sample of 315 physicians (family physicians, community pediatricians, subspecialists) in Toronto.
- The questionnaire assessed physician knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to childhood influenza immunization.
- Response rate was 77% (243 physicians).
Main Results:
- Community pediatricians were more likely than family physicians or subspecialists to recommend influenza vaccination for high-risk children.
- Pediatricians were more likely to employ active strategies for contacting families of high-risk children for vaccination.
- Less than half (44%) of all surveyed physicians reported receiving the influenza vaccine themselves.
Conclusions:
- While most physicians recommend influenza vaccination, community-based practitioners bear a greater responsibility for its administration.
- There is a need for enhanced physician education on influenza vaccination.
- Further research and a review of provincial strategies are recommended to improve vaccination rates.
Objective:
To determine the variability in physician knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours in relation to influenza vaccination of children.
Method:
A 17-item cross-sectional questionnaire, with follow-up mailings to non-responders, was mailed to a random sample of 100 family physicians and 100 community pediatricians within Metropolitan Toronto and all 130 subspecialists at The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto.
Results:
Of 315 eligible physicians, 243 (77%) responded. Of the three groups, community pediatricians were more likely than either family physicians or subspecialists, to recommend vaccination for all but one of the high-risk conditions. Pediatricians (54%) were also the most likely to use active strategies to contact families of high-risk children compared with family physicians and subspecialists (both 23%). Only 44% of all physicians were themselves vaccinated against influenza.
Conclusions:
Influenza vaccination is recommended by most physicians; however, the responsibility for vaccination appears to fall to those in the community. Physician education plus further research and a review of provincial strategies for improving vaccination are needed.