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The following is a summary of “Pertussis vaccination in adults: a behavioral study of physicians from the US, France, and Germany,” published in the November 2024 issue of Primary Care by Middleton et al.
Pertussis is a contagious respiratory infection that poses serious risks to adults, particularly those with chronic conditions. Vaccination is the most effective method of preventing the disease.
Researchers conducted a retrospective study to assess physicians’ attitudes towards pertussis vaccination in adults, focusing on its importance for disease prevention, especially in those with chronic conditions.
They contacted physicians from the US, France, and Germany between November 2022 and January 2023 via an independent online database. After eligibility screening, physicians completed an online questionnaire on pertussis vaccination recommendations and behaviors in adults.
The results showed that 800 physicians participated (US: 400; France: 200; Germany: 200). About, 65% of physicians believed in the importance of pertussis vaccination, lower than for COVID-19 (82%), influenza (81%), pneumococcal disease (76%), and tetanus (73%). Physicians identified immunocompromised adults and those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, or other respiratory conditions as the highest risk groups. Pertussis vaccination was recommended to 2/3 of patients who agreed to receive it. The main reason for non-vaccination was a low perception of personal risk. Physicians’ vaccination behavior remained similar before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
They recognized the importance of pertussis vaccination in adults but prioritized other vaccines higher. Despite awareness of the need to vaccinate vulnerable groups, this often did not lead to increased vaccination rates, particularly without official recommendations.
Source: bmcprimcare.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12875-024-02647-3
