Uptake of Vaccinations among Children with Chronic Diseases Is Affected by Knowledge Gaps and Implementation Challenges in Italy.

Alessandra Beni,Diego Giampietro Peroni,Pier Luigi Lopalco,Lara Tavoschi,Giorgio Costagliola,Elena Ferretti,Sara Mazzilli,Elisabetta Bellino

doi:10.3390/vaccines9111217

Alessandra Beni, Diego Giampietro Peroni + Show 6 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9111217

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Abstract

(1) Background: Children with chronic medical conditions may be at increased risk for severe complications related to vaccine-preventable infections. Therefore, additional booster doses or supplementary vaccines are recommended, over and above the routine immunization schedule for healthy children. The aim of this study was to investigate attitude, knowledge, and practices toward additional vaccinations for children affected by chronic conditions among pediatricians and parents. (2) Methods: This study is based on two surveys: (i) a national cross-sectional survey, targeting pediatrician working in hospitals or in the primary health sector; (ii) a local cross-sectional survey, targeting parents of children with a previous diagnosis of chronic disease. (3) Results: Despite the fact that most of the health professionals and parents interviewed had an overall positive vaccine attitude, most pediatricians did not show an adequate knowledge of additional vaccinations for children affected by chronic diseases. Moreover, the coverage of additional recommended vaccinations in chronic pediatric patients was low. (4) Conclusions: This research highlighted important existing challenges hampering optimal vaccination coverage among pediatric chronic patients, including knowledge gaps on tailored vaccination schedules among pediatricians and organizational issues. The ongoing review of the Italian national immunization plan is a not-to-be-missed-opportunity to include evidence-based, detailed, and comprehensive recommendations on vaccinations for children affected by chronic conditions.

Highlights

IntroductionImmunization is one of the most important and cost-effective strategies in public health
This study is based on two surveys: (i) a national, cross-sectional survey targeting pediatrician working in hospitals or the primary health sector; (ii) a local, cross-sectional survey targeting parents of children from 6 months to 18 years old with a previous diagnosis of chronic or onco-hematological disease
Our findings show that most pediatricians do not have adequate knowledge of other additional vaccinations for children affected by chronic diseases

Summary

Introduction

Immunization is one of the most important and cost-effective strategies in public health. It is estimated that each year, worldwide, vaccines prevent up to three million deaths. The benefits of vaccines go beyond the avoided deaths and are reported in terms of the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) avoided or quality adjusted life years (QALYs) gained. Vaccination provides significant savings by avoiding the health costs associated with treating diseases [1]

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