title: Acceptability of meningococcal serogroup B vaccine among parents and health care workers in Italy: a survey.
abstract: A new meningococcal serogroup B vaccine (4 CMenB) has recently been licensed. This study assessed the acceptability of 4 CMenB vaccine among parents and healthcare workers (HCWs). From May to July 2013 in Milan, Italy, self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 2050 parents of infants presenting at immunization clinics for the mandatory hexavalent vaccination and submitted to 350 HCWs involved in immunization practices. 1842 parents (89.1%) responded to the survey; 64.4% of parents wanted their child to receive the 4 CMenB vaccine and 5.1% would not vaccinate their children. Multivariate analysis showed that recognition of the severity of meningitis [a life threatening vs a mild or unthreatening disease (Odds ratio (OR): 2.3; confidence interval (CI): 1.4-3.6], awareness of vaccination as a beneficial preventive measure (very beneficial vs not beneficial OR = 6.4; CI 3.0-13.7) and knowledge of the Meningococcal C vaccine (OR = 1.4; CI 1.1-1.8) were strongly associated to willingness to receive 4 CMenB vaccine. On the contrary, level of education was associated with refusal of immunization (university vs education level lower than middle school OR = 0.68; CI 0.47-0.97). Among the parents who were willing to immunize their children, 66.9% would agree with three injections to be administered during the same visit. A total of 291 HCWs (83.1%) agreed to participate in the survey; 73% considered 4 CMenB vaccine a priority in infants' immunization schedule; 26.8% of HCWs suggested the concomitant administration with routine infant immunization. Parental and HCWs acceptability of 4 CMenB vaccine was high. Increasing knowledge about meningitis and vaccine prevention might further increase the acceptability of this vaccine.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pediatrics; L Sacco Hospital ; University of Milan ; Milan , Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mameli
authors.forename: Marino
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Faccini
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mazzali
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Picca
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Colella
authors.forename: Pier Giorgio
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Duca
authors.forename: Gian Vincenzo
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Zuccotti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016667:Bacterial Capsules / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008585:Meningitis, Meningococcal / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000276:immunology; D010290:Parents; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines; C039455:capsular polysaccharide, meningococcal group B
keywords: CI, confidence interval; HCWs, health care workers; MenB, meningococcal serogroup B; MenC, Meningococcal serogroup C; OR, odds ratio; healthcare providers; meningococcal B; parents; survey; vaccine