Will pediatricians adopt the new rotavirus vaccine?
OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to determine the following among US pediatricians: (1) perceptions regarding burden of rotavirus disease and need for a vaccine; (2) intentions for recommending a newly licensed rotavirus vaccine; (3) perceived barriers to implementation; and (4) factors associated with plans for vaccine adoption.


METHODS
A network of 431 pediatricians was recruited from a random sample of American Academy of Pediatrics' members. The network was designed to be representative of the American Academy of Pediatrics with respect to region of the country, practice type, and practice setting. During January and February 2006, physicians were surveyed by Internet or mail. The survey contained a paragraph summarizing results of the new rotavirus vaccine trial. Respondents were asked about intentions to use the vaccine and anticipated barriers.


RESULTS
The survey response rate was 71%. Of the respondents, 52% strongly agreed and 37% somewhat agreed with the need for a rotavirus vaccine. If recommended for routine use, 50% would strongly recommend and 34% would recommend but not strongly; 52% would begin to use within 6 months and 27% from 6 months to 1 year. The top 3 "definite" barriers to implementation included concerns about uniform coverage of vaccine by insurers, lack of adequate reimbursement, and parental reluctance because of withdrawal of previous rotavirus vaccine. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with very likely adoption of the vaccine included perception of a high burden of rotavirus disease and a high level of confidence in prelicensure studies of vaccine safety. The presence of physician concerns about safety of the new vaccine and the perception of parental concerns about vaccine safety in general were negatively associated with adoption.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of pediatricians reported willingness to implement the new rotavirus vaccine, most within 6 months. Major barriers to optimal implementation included provider concerns about reimbursement issues and parental acceptance of the vaccine.
Kempe
Allison
A
Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado, USA. kempe.allison@tchden.org
Daley
Matthew F
MF
Parashar
Umesh D
UD
Crane
Lori A
LA
Beaty
Brenda L
BL
Stokley
Shannon
S
Barrow
Jennifer
J
Babbel
Christine
C
Dickinson
L Miriam
LM
Widdowson
Marc-Alain
MA
Alexander
James P
JP
Berman
Stephen
S
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007443:Intussusception / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010372:Pediatrics; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D022243:Rotavirus Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D022243:Rotavirus Vaccines