HEALTHCARE WORKERS ROLE IN KEEPING MMR VACCINATION UPTAKE HIGH IN EUROPE: A REVIEW OF EVIDENCE

Monday, 17th of March 2014

[source]Euro Surveillance[|source]

In spite of the solid evidence base on the efficacy and safety of measles vaccination, attitudes and practices of healthcare workers in Europe appear at times erratic: the misconception that measles is not a serious threat to health persists, not only among the parents of young children, but also among healthcare providers. As a result, there is complacency towards measles that is not present compared to other vaccine-preventable diseases such as polio, tetanus or bacterial meningitis, which are generally perceived as extremely serious threats to health. Memory of diseases and their severity fades quickly: because of routine vaccination programmes, there are generations of doctors, nurses and parents who have never seen measles or complications, caused by measles.

 

In this report, the authors reviewed the literature produced in European countries on the knowledge, attitudes and practices of health professionals towards measles vaccination and assessed how health professionals have an impact on parental vaccination choices. The paper shows that although a small proportion of health workers are against immunization; their main problem is lack of information. More details are accessible at: http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=20206

 

 

 

ABSTRACT

Measles is a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease. Europe is far from the 95% coverage rates necessary for elimination of the disease, although a safe and cost-effective vaccine is available. We reviewed the literature on studies carried out in European countries from January 1991 to September 2011 on knowledge, attitudes and practices of health professionals towards measles vaccination and on how health professionals have an impact on parental vaccination choices. Both quantitative and qualitative studies were considered: a total of 28 eligible articles were retrieved. Healthcare workers are considered by parents as a primary and trustworthy source of information on childhood vaccination. Gaps in knowledge and poor communication from healthcare workers are detrimental to high immunization rates. Correct and transparent information for parents plays a key role in parental decisions on whether to have their children vaccinated. Healthcare workers knowledge of and positive attitudes towards measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination are crucial to meeting the measles elimination goal. An effort should be made to overcome potential communication barriers and to strengthen vaccine education among healthcare professionals.