Physician attitudes and preferences about combined Tdap vaccines for adolescents

Pediatric and Family Physicians' Attitudes Regarding Childhood Optional Vaccines During the COVID-19 Pandemic

INTRODUCTION

To maintain high vaccination rates, vaccination interventions should be targeted according to interests such as parents' knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and vaccine hesitancy.

METHODS

This research was conducted between June 2020 and April 2021 using a questionnaire about optional vaccines (OVs) in Turkey.

RESULTS

A total of 241 physicians participated and 14 physicians were excluded due to insufficient data. Finally, a total of 227 physicians, including 115 pediatricians and 112 family physicians, were included in the study. The mean age of pediatricians and family physicians was 33.42 ± 8.25 years and 35.46 ± 11.09 years, respectively. There was no significant difference between pediatricians and family physicians in terms of age and gender (p > 0.05). Nearly half of all physicians (49%) stated that they do not have sufficient knowledge about OVs. Pediatricians (64%) stated that they have sufficient knowledge at a higher rate than family physicians (37%) (p = 0.000). Physicians who declared having sufficient knowledge informed families about OVs more frequently than those with insufficient knowledge (p = 0.000). Pediatricians provide information about OVs more frequently than family physicians (p = 0.001). Rotavirus and meningococcal vaccines were the most frequently recommended vaccines.

CONCLUSIONS

Rotavirus and meningococcal B were the most recommended OVs. About half of the physicians participating in the study stated that they did not have sufficient knowledge about OVs. Physicians with sufficient knowledge of OVs recommend OVs more frequently.

HPV Vaccine Delivery Practices by Primary Care Physicians

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

To examine, among pediatricians and family physicians (FPs) (1) human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine delivery practices, (2) delivery experiences, and (3) attitudes regarding new 2-dose HPV vaccination schedules.

METHODS

We surveyed nationally representative networks of pediatricians and FPs by Internet or mail from July 2018 to September 2018. Multivariable regression was used to assess factors associated with refusal or deferral rates of ≥50% among 11- to 12-year-old patients.

RESULTS

The response rate was 65% (302 pediatricians and 228 FPs included). Pediatricians who strongly recommended the HPV vaccine ranged from 99% for patients ≥15 years old (female) to 83% for those 11 to 12 years old (male); FPs ranged from 90% for patients ≥15 years old (female) to 66% for those 11 to 12 years old (male) (P < .0001 between specialties). Sixty-five percent of pediatricians and 42% of FPs always or almost always used presumptive style when discussing the HPV vaccine (P < .0001). Overall, 40% used standing orders and 42% had electronic alerts. Among pediatricians, the proportion reporting a refusal or deferral rate ≥50% was 19% for female patients and 23% for male patients 11 to 12 years old; FPs reported 27% and 36%, respectively. In the multivariable regression (both sexes), refusal or deferral was associated with physicians not strongly recommending the HPV vaccine to 11- to 12-year-old patients, not using a presumptive style, perceiving less resistance when introducing the HPV vaccine to a 13-year-old patient versus an 11- or 12-year-old patient, and anticipating an uncomfortable conversation when recommending the HPV vaccine to an 11- or 12-year-old patient. Eighty-nine percent of pediatricians and 79% of FPs reported that more adolescents <15 years old are completing the HPV series now that only 2 doses are recommended.

CONCLUSIONS

Although most physicians strongly recommend the HPV vaccine to 11- to 12-year-old patients, our data reveal areas for improvement in recommendation and delivery methods. Most physicians perceive that the 2-dose schedule is resulting in higher HPV completion rates.

Adoption of Serogroup B Meningococcal Vaccine Recommendations

: media-1vid110.1542/5799875076001PEDS-VA_2018-0344Video Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In 2015, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended that 16- to 23-year-olds may be vaccinated with the serogroup B meningococcal (MenB) vaccine on the basis of individual clinical decision-making (Category B). We assessed the following among US pediatricians and family physicians (FPs): (1) practices regarding MenB vaccine delivery, (2) factors influencing a decision to recommend the MenB vaccine, and (3) factors associated with discussing the MenB vaccine.

METHODS

We surveyed a nationally representative sample of pediatricians and FPs via e-mail and Internet from October 2016 to December 2016.

RESULTS

The response rate was 72% (660 of 916). During routine visits, 51% of pediatricians and 31% of FPs reported always or often discussing MenB vaccine. Among those who discussed often or always, 91% recommended vaccination; among those who never or rarely discussed, 11% recommended. We found that 73% of pediatricians and 41% of FPs currently administered the MenB vaccine. Although many providers reported not knowing about factors influencing recommendation decisions, MenB disease outbreaks (89%), disease incidence (62%), and effectiveness (52%), safety (48%), and duration of protection of MenB vaccine (39%) increased the likelihood of recommendation, whereas the Category B recommendation (45%) decreased likelihood. Those somewhat or not at all aware of the MenB vaccine (risk ratio 0.32 [95% confidence interval 0.25-0.41]) and those practicing in a health maintenance organization (0.39 [0.18-0.87]) were less likely, whereas those aware of disease outbreaks in their state (1.25 [1.08-1.45]) were more likely to discuss MenB vaccine.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary care physicians have significant gaps in knowledge about MenB disease and the MenB vaccine, and this appears to be a major driver of the decision not to discuss the vaccines.

Assessing the impact of a pertussis active surveillance program on provider testing behavior, Minnesota 2005-2009

OBJECTIVES

The Minnesota Department of Health, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, implemented the Pertussis Active Surveillance Project to better understand pertussis epidemiology. We evaluated the program's impact.

METHODS

Clinics in 2 counties were offered free diagnostic testing and an educational presentation covering pertussis epidemiology. Clinics were identified as either active or intermittent, with active clinics testing 33% or more of the total number of months enrolled. We used generalized estimating equations to assess changes in provider testing behavior over the project period.

RESULTS

Ninety-seven clinics enrolled, with 38% classified as active. Active clinics were more likely to use the state lab for diagnostic testing and had a larger staff. During the project period, a decline in days coughing at the time of visit occurred in both jurisdictions.

CONCLUSIONS

Providing clinics with free diagnostic testing influenced their participation levels. Among active clinics, results suggest changes in provider testing behavior over the course of the project. However, given the lack of robust participation, this resource-intensive strategy may not be a cost-effective approach to evaluating trends in pertussis epidemiology.

Physicians' human papillomavirus vaccine recommendations, 2009 and 2011

BACKGROUND

Physician recommendation is a key predictor of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake. Understanding factors associated with recommendation is important for efforts to increase current suboptimal vaccine uptake.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to examine physician recommendations to vaccinate female patients aged 11-26 years, in 2009 and 2011, at 3 and 5 years postvaccine licensure, respectively. A second aim was to identify trends in factors associated with vaccine recommendation for ages 11 and 12 years.

METHODS

Nationally representative samples of physicians practicing family medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics and gynecology were randomly selected from the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile (n=1538 in 2009, n=1541 in 2011). A mailed survey asked physicians about patient and clinical practice characteristics; immunization support; and frequency of HPV vaccine recommendation ("always" ≥75% of the time vs other). Analyses were conducted in 2012.

RESULTS

Completed surveys were received from 1013 eligible physicians (68% response rate) in 2009 and 928 (63%) in 2011. The proportion of physicians who reported always recommending HPV vaccine increased significantly from 2009 to 2011 for patients aged 11 or 12 years (35% vs 40%, respectively; p=0.03), but not for patients aged 13-17 years (53% vs 55%; p=0.28) or 18-26 years (50% vs 52%; p=0.52). Physician specialty, age, and perceived issues/barriers to vaccination were associated with vaccine recommendation for patients aged 11 or 12 in both years.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest a modest increase in recommendations for HPV vaccination of girls aged 11 or 12 years over a 2-year period; however, recommendations remain suboptimal for all age groups despite national recommendations for universal immunization.

Effectiveness of decision support for families, clinicians, or both on HPV vaccine receipt

OBJECTIVE

To improve human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates, we studied the effectiveness of targeting automated decision support to families, clinicians, or both.

METHODS

Twenty-two primary care practices were cluster-randomized to receive a 3-part clinician-focused intervention (education, electronic health record-based alerts, and audit and feedback) or none. Overall, 22, 486 girls aged 11 to 17 years due for HPV vaccine dose 1, 2, or 3 were randomly assigned within each practice to receive family-focused decision support with educational telephone calls. Randomization established 4 groups: family-focused, clinician-focused, combined, and no intervention. We measured decision support effectiveness by final vaccination rates and time to vaccine receipt, standardized for covariates and limited to those having received the previous dose for HPV #2 and 3. The 1-year study began in May 2010.

RESULTS

Final vaccination rates for HPV #1, 2, and 3 were 16%, 65%, and 63% among controls. The combined intervention increased vaccination rates by 9, 8, and 13 percentage points, respectively. The control group achieved 15% vaccination for HPV #1 and 50% vaccination for HPV #2 and 3 after 318, 178, and 215 days. The combined intervention significantly accelerated vaccination by 151, 68, and 93 days. The clinician-focused intervention was more effective than the family-focused intervention for HPV #1, but less effective for HPV #2 and 3.

CONCLUSIONS

A clinician-focused intervention was most effective for initiating the HPV vaccination series, whereas a family-focused intervention promoted completion. Decision support directed at both clinicians and families most effectively promotes HPV vaccine series receipt.

Are healthcare workers' intentions to vaccinate related to their knowledge, beliefs and attitudes? A systematic review

BACKGROUND

The Summit of Independent European Vaccination Experts (SIEVE) recommended in 2007 that efforts be made to improve healthcare workers' knowledge and beliefs about vaccines, and their attitudes towards them, to increase vaccination coverage. The aim of the study was to compile and analyze the areas of disagreement in the existing evidence about the relationship between healthcare workers' knowledge, beliefs and attitudes about vaccines and their intentions to vaccinate the populations they serve.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic search in four electronic databases for studies published in any of seven different languages between February 1998 and June 2009. We included studies conducted in developed countries that used statistical methods to relate or associate the variables included in our research question. Two independent reviewers verified that the studies met the inclusion criteria, assessed the quality of the studies and extracted their relevant characteristics. The data were descriptively analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the 2354 references identified in the initial search, 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. The diversity in the study designs and in the methods used to measure the variables made it impossible to integrate the results, and each study had to be assessed individually. All the studies found an association in the direction postulated by the SIEVE experts: among healthcare workers, higher awareness, beliefs that are more aligned with scientific evidence and more favorable attitudes toward vaccination were associated with greater intentions to vaccinate. All the studies included were cross-sectional; thus, no causal relationship between the variables was established.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that interventions aimed at improving healthcare workers' knowledge, beliefs and attitudes about vaccines should be encouraged, and their impact on vaccination coverage should be assessed.

Timing of adolescent meningococcal conjugate vaccination attitudes and practices of pediatricians and family medicine physicians

BACKGROUND

The meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) was recommended for those aged 11-18 years in 2005. Initial supply issues led to an emphasis on immunizing older adolescents. When supply improved in 2007, routine immunization was recommended for those aged 11-12 years.

PURPOSE

Among a U.S. sample of pediatricians and family medicine physicians, describe (1) recommendation and administration practices for MCV4; (2) preferences regarding MCV4 administration; and (3) attitudes and characteristics associated with recommendation for those aged >12 years.

METHODS

A mail and Internet survey in a nationally representative sample of physicians was conducted between December 2009 and March 2010. Analysis was conducted between March 2010 and October 2010, including a multivariable analysis to examine factors associated with deferring MCV4 to ages >12 years.

RESULTS

Response rates were 88% (pediatricians 367/419) and 63% (family medicine physicians 268/423). In all, 95% of pediatricians and 73% of family medicine physicians reported administering MCV4 routinely to those aged 11-18 years (p<0.0001); 83% (pediatricians) and 45% (family medicine physicians) reported strongly recommending MCV4 for those aged 11-12 years (p<0.0001); 27% (pediatricians) and 40% (family medicine physicians) preferred to administer MCV4 to those aged >12 years (p<0.0001). Compared with those who strongly recommend for those aged 11-12 years, physicians who do not regularly stock MCV4, family medicine physicians, and physicians concerned about waning immunity were more likely to defer their recommendation, whereas physicians practicing in the Northeast and those with more Latino patients were less likely to defer.

CONCLUSIONS

Most pediatricians and family medicine physicians administer MCV4, but many, especially family medicine physicians and those concerned about waning immunity, defer their recommendation for MCV4 to patients aged >12 years.

Receipt of tetanus-containing vaccinations among adolescents aged 13 to 17 years in the United States: National Immunization Survey-Teen 2007

BACKGROUND

Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) was licensed in the United States in 2005 to be given in place of tetanus-diphtheria (Td) for single use in adolescents.

OBJECTIVES

This analysis was conducted to determine vaccination coverage with Td and Tdap among adolescents in the United States aged 13 to 17 years and to characterize adolescents who had not received a tetanus-containing booster vaccine.

METHODS

Data were analyzed from the National Immunization Survey-Teen (NIS-Teen) 2007, a random-digit-dialing telephone survey that is weighted to be nationally representative of adolescents aged 13 to 17 years. Parents gave verbal consent so that vaccination providers could be contacted to obtain the adolescents' immunization histories. Weighted coverage of Td and Tdap vaccines was estimated with bivariate analysis from returned vaccination data from the providers' records. A multivariable analysis was conducted to determine factors independently associated with nonreceipt of tetanus-containing vaccines. Missed opportunities for vaccination with Td or Tdap were determined from documented vaccination visits for other vaccines.

RESULTS

Out of 69,289 households screened, 6572 had an eligible adolescent aged 13 to 17 years and 5486 (83.5%) completed the household interview. Among 5474 adolescents who met the age criterion and completed a household interview, consent to contact providers was obtained for 4114 (75.2%). A total of 2947 adolescents (53.7% of those with completed household interviews) had immunization histories returned from providers for verification. In 2007, a total of 2149 adolescents (weighted percentage, 72.3%) aged 13 to 17 years had received at least one tetanus booster since age 10 years; Tdap coverage was 30.4%. The mean (SE) age at Td or Tdap receipt was 13.04 (0.04) years (range, 10.00-17.84 years); the median age was 12.86 years. More than half (59.4%) of sampled adolescents had received their booster dose on or after January 1, 2005; among those vaccinated in 2007, 89.1% received Tdap as their booster dose. Factors associated with nonreceipt of Td or Tdap included geographic location and not having a provider-reported well-child visit at ages 11 to 12 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Almost three quarters of adolescents aged 13 to 17 years included in the NIS-Teen 2007 received a tetanus-containing vaccine, and almost one third received Tdap. Among adolescents who received a tetanus-containing vaccine in 2007, a total of 89.1% received the new Tdap vaccine in place of Td, as recommended. Adolescents not receiving Td or Tdap may face barriers to accessing health care. Research is needed to identify evidence-based strategies to improve vaccination coverage among adolescents.

Which pediatricians are providing care to America's children? An update on the trends and changes during the past 26 years

OBJECTIVE

To determine the current proportion of pediatric primary care and specialty visits being conducted by pediatricians versus other providers.

STUDY DESIGN

We used data from 1980-2006 National Ambulatory Medical Care Surveys (NAMCS) to examine trends in office visits by patients 0 to 17 years of age. During our years of interest, the total number of visits in NAMCS by children ranged from 2597 to 9220 per year.

RESULTS

Overall, the percentage of all nonsurgical physician office visits for children 0 to 17 years of age made to general pediatricians increased from 61% in 1996 to 71% in 2006 and those to nonpediatric generalists fell from 28% to 22%. The greatest changes between 2000 and 2006 occurred in the adolescent age group where the proportion of visits to general pediatricians increased from 38% to 53%.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatricians continue to provide most primary care visits for children in the United States. For the first time, pediatricians now provide most visits for adolescents.

Diagnosis and testing practices for adolescent pertussis among a national sample of primary care physicians

OBJECTIVE

Adolescents are a primary reservoir for propagating pertussis infection. This study aimed to describe diagnosis and testing practices for adolescent pertussis among a national sample of primary care physicians.

METHODS

From January to March, 2007 we administered a written survey to a United States sample of American Medical Association physicians that included 725 family practitioners (FPs) and 725 general pediatricians (PDs).

RESULTS

Response rate was 60% (n=702). Overall, 16% of respondents indicated that they did not test adolescents for pertussis as part of their clinical practice. A similar proportion did not recognize the clinical manifestations of pertussis in a standardized adolescent case patient. FPs were less likely than PDs to test for pertussis in general and to diagnose the case patient with pertussis. Barriers to testing adolescents for pertussis included delay in obtaining test results (52%), inconvenience of sample collection (29%), lack of testing supplies (29%), lack of familiarity with testing protocols (28%) and cost (22%).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that a substantial number of primary care physicians do not utilize pertussis testing and may not be able to recognize the clinical symptoms of this infection in adolescents. Interventions to improve physician knowledge about this important public health issue may be warranted.

Adolescent Tdap vaccine use among primary care physicians

PURPOSE

In 2006 the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended replacement of the adolescent tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (Td) booster with combined tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap). We examined the degree to which pediatricians and family practitioners have adopted this recommendation.

METHODS

National mail-based survey of a random sample of 725 pediatricians and 725 family practitioners from January through March, 2007.

RESULTS

Overall response rate was 60%. The majority of respondents indicated they routinely recommended Tdap to adolescents at the preferred age for vaccination, 11-12 years old (87%), and also for "catch up" vaccination among adolescents 13-18 years old (89%). In bivariate analyses, pediatrician specialty, specialty society membership, stocking Tdap in the office, and prior experience diagnosing adolescent pertussis were associated with routinely recommending Tdap to adolescents. In multivariable models adjusting for these factors simultaneously, only pediatrician specialty (OR = 4.8, 95% CI = 2.5-9.3) and stocking Tdap in the office (OR = 14.5, 95% CI = 7.5-28.5) remained significantly associated with routine recommendation. Pediatricians were significantly more likely than family practitioners to accept shorter time intervals for administering Tdap following Td vaccination, and to co-administer Tdap with MCV4. Lack of adolescent visits was the most commonly cited major barrier to adolescent Tdap administration.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on self report, our results indicate the majority of physicians have adopted recent recommendations from the ACIP to administer Tdap to adolescents. However, specialty-based disparities in attitudes and practices persist, suggesting that ongoing efforts are needed to motivate physicians to recommend this vaccine to adolescents and to clarify how to integrate Tdap with other adolescent vaccinations.

Physician perspectives regarding annual influenza vaccination among children with asthma

OBJECTIVE

National guidelines have historically varied for influenza vaccination of children with asthma, depending on asthma severity. This study aims to explore perspectives of primary care physicians regarding influenza vaccination practices for children with persistent versus intermittent asthma.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was mailed to general pediatricians (n = 300) and family physicians (n = 300) in primary care offices in Michigan in 2006. The main outcome measures included physicians' influenza vaccination recommendations and reasons for nonadministration of influenza vaccine to children with asthma for the 2005-2006 influenza season.

RESULTS

Ninety-six percent of respondents (N = 320) reported routinely recommending influenza vaccination for children with persistent asthma; fewer (82%) reported routinely recommending influenza vaccination for those with intermittent asthma. The adjusted odds of recommending influenza vaccination for intermittent asthma patients was significantly higher among pediatricians versus family physicians (adjusted odds ratio 3.49, 95% confidence interval, 1.68-7.22), controlling for other practice characteristics. Regardless of specialty, physicians with more than 25 asthma patients were more likely than those with fewer asthma patients to routinely recommend influenza vaccination. Physicians who do not routinely recommend influenza vaccination to children with intermittent asthma were more likely to cite overlooking discussion of influenza vaccine during the visit (50% vs 13%, respectively; P < .0001) as a reason for lack of vaccination.

CONCLUSIONS

Influenza vaccination practices of primary care physicians reflect the inconsistencies historically found in national recommendations. Further research is warranted to determine whether the recent clarification of recommendations of the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) to remove distinctions by asthma severity is associated with a reduction in missed opportunities to vaccinate.

Adolescent immunizations and other clinical preventive services: a needle and a hook?

Advances in technology have led to development of new vaccines for adolescents, but these vaccines will be added to a crowded schedule of recommended adolescent clinical preventive services. We reviewed adolescent clinical preventive health care guidelines and patterns of adolescent clinical preventive service delivery and assessed how new adolescent vaccines might affect health care visits and the delivery of other clinical preventive services. Our analysis suggests that new adolescent immunization recommendations are likely to improve adolescent health, both as a "needle" and a "hook." As a needle, the immunization will enhance an adolescent's health by preventing vaccine-preventable diseases during adolescence and adulthood. It also will likely be a hook to bring adolescents (and their parents) into the clinic for adolescent health care visits, during which other clinical preventive services can be provided. We also speculate that new adolescent immunization recommendations might increase the proportion and quality of other clinical preventive services delivered during health care visits. The factor most likely to diminish the positive influence of immunizations on delivery of other clinical preventive services is the additional visit time required for vaccine counseling and administration. Immunizations may "crowd out" delivery of other clinical preventive services during visits or reduce the quality of the clinical preventive service delivery. Complementary strategies to mitigate these effects might include prioritizing clinical preventive services with a strong evidence base for effectiveness, spreading clinical preventive services out over several visits, and withholding selected clinical preventive services during a visit if the prevention activity is effectively covered at the community level. Studies are needed to evaluate the effect of new immunizations on adolescent preventive health care visits, delivery of clinical preventive services, and health outcomes.