[Assessment of primary care physicians' adherence to the national childhood vaccination schedule]

Abstract

Objective: To assess the levels of primary care physicians' adherence to the 2010 French vaccination schedule against pertussis, measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), and pneumococcal infections in northern France.

Methods: Two hundred forty-nine primary care physicians were questioned over the phone from February 15th to May 27th 2010.

Results: The total response rate was 61% (n=152) : 43 pediatricians and 109 general practitioners (GPs). The conjugated pneumococcal vaccination was routinely proposed by 93% of the physicians (100% of the pediatricians and 90% of the GPs, P=0.02), and the recommended immunization schedule was correctly stated by 98% of the pediatricians and 70% of the GPs, P<0.001. While the pertussis vaccination was proposed by all the physicians, the recommended immunization schedule was correctly followed in only 46% of the cases (there was no significant difference between the 2 groups of physicians). As for the MMR vaccination, 1 physician did not propose it; 27% had correct knowledge about the MMR vaccination schedule (44% of the pediatricians and 20% of the GPs, P<0.01); 39% initiated an early MMR vaccination schedule for children in day care centers. The main source of their information was medical representatives of pharmaceutical companies, medical journals, and to a lesser degree, weekly epidemiological bulletins and continuing medical education meetings.

Conclusion: The level of physicians' knowledge about the vaccination schedule in children was insufficient in northern France, especially for pertussis and measles. This can decrease vaccination coverage levels as well as its beneficial effects for children.