Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Excellence Specialties "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Hospital Unit of Clinical Epidemiology with Cancer Registry, University Hospital "Paolo Giaccone" of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Ital J Pediatr. 2024 Jul 11;50(1):126. doi: 10.1186/s13052-024-01693-y.
Influenza represents a serious public health threat, especially for the management of severe cases and complications of the disease, requiring the implementation of control measures. We aimed to assess the acceptance and impact of qLAIV vaccination among a representative sample of family paediatricians (FPs) operating in Palermo Local Health Authority (LHA). To this end we evaluated vaccination coverage rates, comparing it with that observed in Sicilian context, while actively monitoring possible adverse reactions and their severity.
An observational descriptive non-controlled study was conducted in two phases, from September 2022 to June 2023. The first phase involved a formative and educational intervention with a pre-intervention questionnaire to assess the knowledge and attitudes of FPs on paediatric influenza vaccination. The second phase consisted of an active surveillance on qLAIV safety and acceptance among the paediatric population assisted by the participating FPs, from October 2022 to April 2023. Frequencies, chi-squared tests, and comparisons statistics were performed using Stata/MP 14.1.
The overall coverage rate among the paediatric population involved in the intervention was 13.2%, with an I.M./qLAIV ratio of vaccine administered of 1/4.25. This coverage rate was significantly higher (p-value <0.001) when compared to the average values reported in the population under the Palermo Local Health Authority (LHA) (6.7%) and in the entire Sicily (5.9%). Adverse events in the qLAIV group were mild, with only 3.3% experiencing them, primarily presenting as a feverish rise (3.2%). No severe adverse reaction was reported.
The educational intervention significantly raised paediatric influenza vaccination rates among the participating FPs, and in general improved influenza vaccination coverage rates in the Palermo's LHU. Minimal, non-serious adverse events underscored the vaccine's safety. Training sessions ensured paediatricians stayed informed, enabling them to provide comprehensive information to parents for secure and informed vaccination decisions in their practices.
流感是一种严重的公共卫生威胁，特别是在管理严重病例和疾病并发症方面，需要实施控制措施。我们旨在评估在巴勒莫地方卫生局（LHA）工作的代表性儿科家庭医生（FPs）样本中 qLAIV 疫苗接种的接受程度和影响。为此，我们评估了疫苗接种覆盖率，并与西西里岛的观察结果进行了比较，同时积极监测可能的不良反应及其严重程度。
这是一项观察性描述性非对照研究，分为两个阶段，从 2022 年 9 月至 2023 年 6 月进行。第一阶段包括一个形成性和教育性干预措施，使用预干预问卷评估 FPs 对儿科流感疫苗接种的知识和态度。第二阶段从 2022 年 10 月至 2023 年 4 月，由参与的 FPs 对 qLAIV 的安全性和接受度进行主动监测，监测对象为接受治疗的儿科人群。使用 Stata/MP 14.1 进行频率、卡方检验和比较统计分析。
参与干预的儿科人群的总体覆盖率为 13.2%，接种疫苗的 I.M./qLAIV 比例为 1/4.25。与巴勒莫地方卫生局（LHA）（6.7%）和整个西西里岛（5.9%）的平均报告值相比，这一覆盖率显著更高（p 值<0.001）。qLAIV 组的不良事件为轻度，仅有 3.3%的人出现，主要表现为发热升高（3.2%）。未报告严重不良反应。
教育干预显著提高了参与 FPs 的儿科流感疫苗接种率，总体上提高了巴勒莫 LHU 的流感疫苗接种覆盖率。轻微、非严重的不良事件突显了疫苗的安全性。培训课程确保了儿科医生及时了解情况，使他们能够在实践中为家长提供全面的信息，以做出安全和知情的疫苗接种决策。
