Clinicians’ opinions on new vaccination programs implementation

In Canada, several new vaccines were recently approved for clinical use or are expected to be soon. Decision-makers are faced with the choice whether or not to include these vaccines in publicly funded vaccination programs. The aim of this study was to assess Canadian pediatricians’ and family physicians’ opinions regarding 7 new vaccines, and perceived priority for the introduction of new programs. A self-administered, anonymous, mail-based questionnaire was sent during fall 2009 to a random sample of 1182 family physicians and to all 1852 Canadian pediatricians. Responses to 8 statements regarding frequency and severity of the diseases, efficacy and safety of the vaccines as well as feasibility of immunization programs were used to calculate priority scores to rank the 7 potential new vaccination programs (calculated scores ranging from 0 to 100). Overall response rate was 43%. The majority of respondents perceived the health and economic burden of diseases prevented by the seven new vaccines as important and considered new vaccines to be safe and effective. More than 90% of physicians strongly agreed or agreed that the new vaccines would be or are currently well accepted by the public and by the health professionals who administer vaccines, except for the HPV and rotavirus vaccines (respectively 30% and 29% strongly agreed or agreed). Mean priority scores were: 77.4 out of 100 for the measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) combined vaccine; 75.6 for the hexavalent (DTaP-IPV-Hib-HBV) vaccine; 73.1 for the new pneumococcal conjugate vaccines; 69.8 for the meningococcal ACYW135; 68.9 for the combined hepatitis A and B; 63.5 for the human papillomavirus vaccine and 56.9 for the rotavirus vaccine. Health professionals’ opinion is an important element to consider in the decision-making process regarding implementation of new immunization programs. Without health professional support, the introduction of a new vaccination program may be unsuccessful. In this study, the MMRV and the hexavalent (DTaP-IPV-Hib-HBV) vaccines received the highest ratings.

► In Canada, several new vaccines were approved for clinical use
► We assessed physicians’ opinions regarding 7 new vaccines.
► Combined MMRV and DTaP-IPV-Hib-HBV vaccines received the highest ratings.
► New vaccination program introduction may be unsuccessful without physicians support.