Q Fever Knowledge, Attitudes and Vaccination Status of Australia’s Veterinary Workforce in 2014

Abstract

Q fever, caused by Coxiella burnetii, is a serious zoonotic disease in humans with a worldwide distribution. Many species of animals are capable of transmitting C. burnetii, and consequently all veterinary workers are at risk for this disease. An effective Q fever vaccine has been readily available and used in Australia for many years in at-risk groups, and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has recently also called for the use of this vaccine among at-risk groups in Europe. Little is known about attitudes towards this vaccine and vaccine uptake in veterinary workers. This study aimed to determine the Q fever vaccination status of veterinarians and veterinary nurses in Australia and to assess and compare the knowledge and attitudes towards Q fever disease and vaccination of each cohort. An online cross-sectional survey performed in 2014 targeted all veterinarians and veterinary nurses in Australia. Responses from 890 veterinarians and 852 veterinary nurses were obtained. Binary, ordinal and multinomial logistic regression were used to make comparisons between the two cohorts. The results showed that 74% of veterinarians had sought vaccination compared to only 29% of veterinary nurses. Barriers to vaccination among those not vaccinated did not differ between cohorts, and included a lack of perceived risk, financial expense, time constraints, and difficulty in finding a vaccine provider. Poor knowledge and awareness of Q fever disease and vaccination were additional and notable barriers for the veterinary nursing cohort, suggesting veterinary clinics and veterinarians may not be meeting their legal responsibility to educate staff about risks and risk prevention. Further evaluation is needed to identify the drivers behind seeking and recommending vaccination so that recommendations can be made to improve vaccine uptake.

Seroprevalence of Q fever among metropolitan and non‐metropolitan blood donors in New South Wales and Queensland, 2014–2015

“…As reported in other Australian studies, 5,21,22 we found that only 40% of people in groups for whom vaccination is recommended knew about the Q fever vaccine and only 10% had been vaccinated; even among those who knew about the vaccine, only 26% had been vaccinated. Targeted awareness campaigns (as currently underway in NSW) 23 are needed, especially as the main reported reason for not being vaccinated was the perceived lack of risk.…”

“…Targeted awareness campaigns (as currently underway in NSW) are needed, especially as the main reported reason for not being vaccinated was the perceived lack of risk . However, access to the vaccine can also be a problem . A new online training module for rural general practitioners should improve access and increase the number of early Q fever diagnoses, which may reduce the risk of chronic infection …”

Coxiella burnetiiseroprevalence in unvaccinated veterinary workers in Australia: Evidence to support Q fever vaccination

“…Veterinary students at all Australian veterinary schools are routinely vaccinated prior to, or on commencement of their veterinary studies. As a result, approximately 74% of all veterinarians in Australia have sought vaccination for Q fever, with 61% receiving the vaccination and 12% unable to be vaccinated due to evidence of prior exposure to C. burnetii (Sellens et al, ). However, veterinary nurses in Australia report lower vaccine uptake, with only 29% having sought vaccination of which 24% are vaccinated.…”

“…However, veterinary nurses in Australia report lower vaccine uptake, with only 29% having sought vaccination of which 24% are vaccinated. This is attributed to a variety of reasons a variety of reasons, including a perception that they are not at risk of exposure to C. burnetii (Sellens et al, ). Additionally, medical practitioners in Australia have reportedly advised veterinary workers against Q fever vaccination on occasion, due to a perception that the workers were not at risk of Q fever (Sellens et al, ).…”

“…This is attributed to a variety of reasons a variety of reasons, including a perception that they are not at risk of exposure to C. burnetii (Sellens et al, ). Additionally, medical practitioners in Australia have reportedly advised veterinary workers against Q fever vaccination on occasion, due to a perception that the workers were not at risk of Q fever (Sellens et al, ). This is contrary to the recommendations of the Australian Immunisation Handbook, and evidence of Q fever disease primarily affecting support staff in outbreaks of Q fever in Australian veterinary clinics (Australian Immunisation Handbook, ; Gibbons & White, ; Malo et al, ; Maywood & Boyd, ).…”