517 - Perceptions of Pediatricians on the SARs-CoV2 Vaccine

Poster Number: 517
Publication Number: 517.326

Karl R. Khandalavala, University of Nebraska College of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States; Kari Simonsen, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States; junghyae lee, Uiveristy of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States; Jeffrey A. Robinson, University of Nebraska Medical Center/ Children's Hospital Omaha, Omaha, NE, United States

Background: The novel SARs-CoV2 coronavirus has infected approximately 51,000,000 people in the USA with approximately 250 million people in the USA having received at least one dose of the SARs-CoV2 vaccines. Perceptions of rapid vaccine development have resulted in reported vaccine hesitancy and refusal. Pediatric vaccination may be important for the protection of vulnerable individuals and to facilitate herd immunity. Previous study demonstrates that physician recommendations significantly impact perceptions of routine pediatric immunizations among parents.

Objective: This study aimed to describe the strength of recommendation by pediatricians for the SARs-CoV2 vaccine for pediatric patients and their parents.

Design/Methods: A 10-question single-institution anonymous survey was distributed to physicians in the Department of Pediatrics at two timepoints: April and November 2021. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used to analyze differences in responses.

Results: There were 91 and 56 survey responses in April and November 2021, respectively. At both time points, the most common source of vaccine information referenced by physicians was peer-reviewed journals. In April, 64 physicians (71%) strongly encouraged pediatric patients to receive a SARs-CoV2 vaccine, compared to 44 (79%) in November 2021 (p = 0.23). At both time points, more pediatricians strongly recommended SARs-CoV2 vaccine use in adults [Apri: 79 (87%) / November: 50 (89%)], as well as influenza vaccine use in all patients (April: 87 (96%) / November: 49 (88%)), compared to SARs-CoV2 vaccine use in pediatric patients (April: p = < 0.0001 / November: p = 0.27). Thematic analysis of free response questions demonstrated that physicians cited need for herd immunity (42%) and protection of children (41%) as reasons for recommending the vaccine. Lack of research or FDA approval of vaccine use in pediatric populations (61%) were cited as reasons for recommending against receiving the vaccine at both time points.Conclusion(s): A majority of pediatricians strongly recommend that pediatric patients receive the SARs-CoV2 vaccines, though this proportion of physicians did not increase significantly over the 6-month study period. Additionally, fewer pediatricians strongly recommend the SARs-CoV2 vaccine use in pediatric patients compared to SARs-CoV2 vaccine use in adult patients and influenza vaccine at any age.
APA Student Award CV Submission8_31_21.pdf
Figure 1:Physician vaccine recommendations for SARs-CoV2 vaccination in pediatric patients, pediatric patients’ parents, and influenza vaccination in all patients.April 2021, 64 participants (71%) strongly encouraged their pediatric patients to receive a SARs-CoV2 vaccine. In November 2021, 44 participants (79%) strongly encouraged SARs-CoV2 vaccine use in pediatric patients. At both timepoints, more participants strongly recommended SARs-CoV2 vaccine use in adults (April: 79 (87%) / November: 50 (89%)) as well as influenza vaccine use in all patients (April: 87 (96%) / November: 49 (88%)). April 2021, N = 91; Nov 2021, N = 56