Attitudes to immunisation: a survey of health professionals in the Rotorua District.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the personal attitudes and practice of health professionals regarding childhood vaccinations in order to provide guidance to local professional education strategies.


METHODS
A questionnaire was circulated to those involved in the implementation of the childhood immunisation schedule in the Rotorua District. Responses were stratified: a) community vs hospital; b) nurses, midwives, doctors, others.


RESULTS
85% responded, of whom 94% supported vaccinations. 91% considered science the most important basis for recommendations; 91% considered current scientific support adequate. 11% thought immunisations held unacceptable dangers; 17% were unsure. 41% of nurses, 45% of midwives, and 21% of doctors were unsure whether the MMR vaccine was associated with autism or Crohn's disease. Professional training, reading and personal experience were identified most often as having an influence on opinions, while the media and Internet ranked least often. Amongst respondents who had children, 96% reported vaccination (no significant difference between professional groups, but lower rates for children of hospital providers).


CONCLUSIONS
Strong national support of vaccinations was demonstrated in this survey of professionals involved with vaccination in one district. Significant underlying uncertainties or concerns were identified regarding risks, the MMR vaccine, and ethical tensions between community protection and perceived individual risk. Continuing education and dialogue through professional training and medical literature are indicated to address these concerns.
Jelleyman
Tim
T
Starship Children's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand. jelleyet@clear.net.nz
Ure
Andrew
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014611:Vaccination / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data