Professional attitudes towards vaccination and immunization within the leeds area health authority (teaching)

Abstract

The attitudes of 333 General Practitioners, 22 Clinic Doctors, and 116 Health Visitors within the Leeds Area Health Authority (Teaching) towards immunization were investigated. It was found that diphtheria, tetanus and polio immunizations were given routinely by 99% of the General Practitioners and Clinic Doctors, and encouraged by 98% of all professionals. Measles prevention was given routinely by 86% of General Practitioners and by all but one of the Clinic Doctors, and encouraged by 82% of all professionals. The majority of General Practitioners (83%) and all but one of the Clinic Doctors gave immunization against pertussis as a matter of course. However, not all General Practitioners, Clinic Doctors or Health Visitors actively encouraged immuniza- tion against pertussis. This was probably because they were unsure whether the advantages of giving pertussis vaccine outweighed the disadvantages. A decrease in uptake of the primary immunization schedule over a four year period was noticed by 34% of General Practitioners and 43% of Clinic Doctors and Health Visitors. Eighty- eight per cent of Clinic Doctors and Health Visitors and 83% of General Practitioners had noticed increased concern among parents about immunization.