1455 A Survey of Paediatricians‚ Knowledge and Practices About Influenza Vaccines in High Risk Groups of Children

Abstract

Aims and Background: We aimed to assess paediatricians‘ awareness of Chief Medical Officer’s (CMO) recommendations in relation to influenza vaccination of high risk children in the Trent region of England.

Methods: A questionnaire was posted out to 100 consultant paediatricians. A total of 68 questionnaires were returned and analysed.

Results: 41% and 49% of the respondents were working in tertiary and district hospitals respectively. 89% of them claimed to be aware of the CMO's newsletters which listed the high-risk groups of children requiring influenza vaccines.

The highest rates of vaccine recommendation were for children with chronic lung disease (70.5%), congenital heart disease (68%), cystic fibrosis (66%), chronic heart failure (63%), asthmatics requiring regular steroids (62%), neuromuscular diseases (59%), severe splenic dysfunction (59%), children aged below 5 years with previous invasive pneumococcal disease (56%), diabetes mellitus (53%) and chronic renal failure (48.5%).

The lowest rates of vaccine recommendations included nephrotic syndrome (43%), post renal transplant (41%), chronic liver disease (35%), cirrhosis (26%), HIV/AIDS (37%), children on chemotherapy/steroids (38%), previously admitted for asthma (22%) or with a lower respiratory tract disease (9%).

Conclusion: Most paediatricians were aware of the CMO recommendations on influenza vaccines for high risk children. This knowledge however was not always translated into correct advice given to patients in routine clinical practice. We recommend that regular education and training for the busy practising paediatricians should be undertaken to ensure that continual high quality of care is rendered to children who need to be vaccinated with the Influenza vaccine.

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