Barriers to implementation of the new targeted BCG vaccination in France: A cross sectional study

The aim of the study was to assess factors influencing BCG vaccination among targeted children after the end of universal and mandatory BCG vaccination in France. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2009 among general practitioners (GPs) of the French Sentinel Network. With the participation of 358 physician-investigators, 920 children were included. Of the 261 children (31%) identified to be at risk of tuberculosis, only 113 (44%) were vaccinated. The median number of French criteria for BCG vaccination correctly cited by the GPs was 3 of the existing 6. Of the 10 proposed, a median number of 5 regions in the world according to their level of tuberculosis risk were correctly classified by GPs. After adjustment using an alternating logistic model, 7 variables were found to be associated with the immunisation status of the target population. Six of these increased the probability of being vaccinated: children older than 6 months (OR = 3.4 (CI 95% [1.4-8.6])), residents in central Paris or its suburbs (OR = 14.7 [4.4-49.5]), children expected to travel to highly endemic regions (OR = 3.5 [1.4-8.6]), those living in unfavourable conditions (OR = 19.9 [6.2-63.9]), the GP's good knowledge of vaccination guidelines (OR = 1.4 [1.1-1.9]) and the GP's perception of tuberculosis as a common disease (OR = 2.2 [1.1-4.5]). Surprisingly, GPs with university training on infectious diseases tended to be more reluctant to follow vaccination guidelines (OR = 0.14 [0.1-0.4]). Actions targeted at these factors could contribute to improving BCG immunisation coverage.