Vaccination against serogroup B XXXX : Perceptions and attitudes of parents.

@entity1 @entity3631 @entity4008 @entity4456
BACKGROUND: A vaccine against serogroup B @entity3631 , major cause of @entity4008 in @entity1 and adults, has recently been developed. In a context of an increasing parental mistrust against vaccinations, understanding the reason for their choices is crucial in order to improve immunization coverage. Our study aimed at evaluating parental attitudes and perceptions towards serogroup B meningococcal invasive disease vaccination. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted in different French independent-practice medical offices (general practitioners and paediatricians) and nurseries between @entity4456 and December 31, 2013, using a questionnaire distributed in electronic and paper forms to parents having at least one @entity1 between the ages of 2 months and 16 years old. RESULTS: 1270 parents were included, of whom 671 (52.8%) spontaneously stated to be in favour of this vaccination. Their choice was mainly justified by the severity of the disease (63.8%) and the desire to protect their @entity1 (51.7%). In multivariate analysis, the young age of parents (OR 0.949 per additional year; p<10(-3)), the history of vaccination against serogroup C meningococcal invasive diseases (OR 6.755; p<10(-3)), and the prior knowledge of the vaccine (OR 2.081; p=0.001) were associated with vaccination acceptance. The main reasons for refusal were the lack of hindsight on this new vaccine (50.6%) and the fear of side effects (45.5%). After objective information on the disease and the vaccine, only 6.3% of the entire responding population would refuse to consider vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: The spontaneous acceptance rate of vaccination against serogroup B meningococcal invasive disease is insufficient. However, after objective information by their physician or public health authorities, only a few parents would in the end be completely resistant.
