UK parents’ attitudes towards meningococcal group B (MenB) vaccination: a qualitative analysis

Abstract

Objectives(1) To explore existing knowledge of, and attitudes, to group B meningococcal disease and serogroup B meningococcal (MenB) vaccine among parents of young children. (2) To seek views on their information needs.DesignCross-sectional qualitative study using individual and group interviews conducted in February and March 2015, prior to the introduction of MenB vaccine (Bexsero) into the UK childhood immunisation schedule.SettingCommunity centres, mother and toddler groups, parents’ homes and workplaces in London and Yorkshire.Participants60 parents of children under 2 years of age recruited via mother and baby groups and via an advert posted to a midwife-led Facebook group.ResultsAlthough recognising the severity of meningitis and septicaemia, parents’ knowledge of group B meningococcal disease and MenB vaccine was poor. While nervous about fever, most said they would take their child for MenB vaccination despite its link to fever. Most parents had liquid paracetamol at home. Many were willing to administer it after MenB vaccination as a preventive measure, although some had concerns. There were mixed views on the acceptability of four vaccinations at the 12-month booster visit; some preferred one visit, while others favoured spreading the vaccines over two visits. Parents were clear on the information they required before attending the immunisation appointment.ConclusionsThe successful implementation of the MenB vaccination programme depends on its acceptance by parents. In view of parents’ recognition of the severity of meningitis and septicaemia, and successful introduction of other vaccines to prevent bacterial meningitis and septicaemia, the MenB vaccination programme is likely to be successful. However, the need for additional injections, the likelihood of post-immunisation fever and its management are issues about which parents will need information and reassurance from healthcare professionals. Public Health England has developed written information for parents, informed by these findings.

Parental Knowledge about Meningococcal Disease and Vaccination Uptake among 0–5 years Old Polish Children

“…The latter sources tend to report predominantly on the speculated negative outcomes of vaccines. This result is consistent with some other studies [2,3,18,20,21] which reported meningococcal vaccine side effects as the commonly stated reason for not having a child receive the vaccine. The safety of different types of the vaccine has been documented [42,43], therefore, improving communication tools—i.e., provision of adequate information by physicians or public health authorities—could raise parental awareness regarding this subject.…”

“…The decision to immunize a child against N. meningitidis is affected by parental knowledge of the IMD, as well as their knowledge of the vaccine, and attitudes about its use [2,18]. Although numerous studies in different countries have investigated the N. meningitidis vaccine uptake, as well as knowledge of IMD and the acceptability of the vaccine among parents [2,19,20,21,22,23], surveys related to this issue are rather scant in Central Europe, including Poland.…”

Parental awareness of Meningococcal B vaccines and willingness to vaccinate their teens

“…Yet, our study contributes novel and timely evidence to understand the need for greater parental awareness MenB vaccines, a topic for which there is very limited data. Previous studies investigating the willingness to receive MenB vaccines have been undertaken only in the context of an outbreak [ 24 ] or in countries outside the US where vaccination recommendations differ significantly [ 16 – 23 ]. We have provided evidence that awareness of MenB vaccine is lacking among parents of teens in the US and that awareness of MenB vaccines, along with concern for meningococcal disease, are important predictors of willingness to vaccinate with the newly licensed MenB vaccines.…”

“…Increasing vaccine uptake and ensuring the sustainability of high uptake of both MenAWCY and MenB vaccines is critical to achieving this goal. While studies have been conducted in other countries to address knowledge and attitudes about the recently developed MenB vaccines [ 16 – 23 ], only one study has investigated awareness of MenB vaccine in the US [ 24 ]. Breakwell et al investigated uptake in the context of an ongoing MenB outbreak and found 51% MenB vaccine coverage among a college student population at a time when the vaccine was not yet licensed; vaccinees were motivated by the knowledge that meningitis is a serious disease and that vaccination is the best way to protect oneself [ 24 ].…”

Success of 4CMenB in preventing meningococcal disease: evidence from real-world experience

“…In children aged <2 years, for example, fever rates were 44% lower when 4CMenB was given with paracetamol prophylaxiscompared with only a 22% reduction among children and adolescents aged 5–16 years 40. An attitudinal survey of UK parents found that the overwhelming majority would accept 4CMenB immunisation despite the high rates of fever because the fear of their child developing IMD was far worse than self-limiting postvaccination fever;41 most parents also had no concerns giving their infant prophylactic paracetamol to reduce the risk of vaccine-related adverse events 41. In the UK, prophylactic paracetamol is not recommended for the booster at 1 year because both parents and healthcare professionals expressed more confidence with managing fever and other vaccine-related reactions in the older infant.…”