PIN83 ADULT VACCINATION IN BRAZIL: A NATIONAL CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY ON PHYSICIANS PRESCRIPTION HABITS

Abstract

To characterize the vaccine prescription practices for adults and seniors from various medical specialties (general practitioners/family physicians, geriatricians, cardiologists, gynecologists, endocrinologists, infectious disease specialists and pulmonologists) in Brazil. National, cross-sectional study, with data collected through an online survey. The survey focused on the vaccines recommended by the Brazilian Immunization Society (SBIm) for adults (20-59 years old) and seniors (≥60 years old) and included questions on the habits of and barriers to vaccine prescription. Physicians registered in the Fine Panel were invited to participate until 1068 completed surveys were obtained. 1,068 physicians completed the survey between July and August 2018. Most physicians were gynecologists (48.2%), worked in both public and private sectors (61.6%) and in the Southeast region (54.3%). On average, physicians had been practicing their specialty for 17 years and prescribing vaccines to adults and/or seniors for 13.9 years. The vaccines prescribed by the highest proportion of physicians were Influenza (≥90% of physicians for adult and senior populations), Hepatitis B (86.6% for adults and 59% for seniors) and Yellow Fever (77.7% for adults and 58.5% for seniors). Conversely, Meningococcal B (18.8%) and Meningococcal ACWY (15.0%) are prescribed by the lowest proportion of physicians for adults and seniors, respectively. Among the physicians prescribing the SBIm recommended vaccines for adults and seniors, the majority (≥75%) reported prescribing each vaccine to all patients with an indication. Of the remaining physicians, more than 65% believe they prescribe each vaccine less often than recommended, according to SBIm and the National Immunization Program. The high cost of vaccines and the lack of time during the appointment were the most common barriers reported by physicians for the under prescription of vaccines. This study provides relevant insight into the physicians’ prescription habits regarding adult and senior vaccination and the main barriers influencing their prescription in Brazil.