Vaccines, for mothers the family pediatrician fundamental: 64% favorable to vaccinating children

Nextplora survey for Simpef-Sindacato Pediatrics Family, on Lombard mothers – Vaccination is important for 94 percent, even if 3 out of 4 show some concern for vaccines; 78 percent consider the family pediatrician to be credible and authoritative information – Promoted, but with many reserves the vaccination centers

Milan, 10 April 2017 – Vaccines and vaccinations are a sensitive theme, not only because the vaccination coverage among Italian children is going down under the safety threshold, but as a topic that in mothers nail some anxiety and awakens an indisputable interest. This was testified by the data of the investigation “Doctor, I want to vaccinate my child”, that the Nextplora Institute has carried out on the position of Simpef-Sindacato Pediatrician doctors, an organization that groups over 1.200 professionals throughout Italy, particularly in Lombardy, where it represents over 80 percent of free choice pediatricians.

For this reason we wanted to focus attention on Lombardy, in which the researchers interviewed 400 mothers, with children of pediatric age, using the Cawi methodology, that is an online questionnaire.

The first fact that emerges is the importance of vaccination: almost the totality of the sample, 94 percent, considers important to vaccinate their child and, apart from that for the seasonal flu, all vaccines are considered useful and fundamental.

A second data, extremely significant, at least for Lombard mothers, is the fundamental and central role of the pediatrician. The pediatrician is the first source of information on the topic of vaccines: 78 percent of the interviewees asked him in matters – You go up 83 percent of the younger children’s mothers – and is considered, from 91 percent of mothers, the most authoritative source on the subject.

Not only that, more than half of the interviewees, 64 percent, would like the family pediatrician to vaccinate their child: they would be safer and more peaceful because the pediatrician, knowing the clinical history of the child, would know how to choose the most suitable moment for the vaccination, could intervene in a more “effective” way in case of any “side effects”, it would be more comfortable, closer to home and with more flexible times, with minor waiting times.

“These responses perfectly frame the situation that lives in Lombardy, and probably throughout Italy,” – Comment Rinaldo Missaglia, President Simpef. “On the one hand they record the anxieties and concerns, completely unjustified, of mothers with respect to vaccination; On the other hand, a negative impact with the system of vaccination centers, in which the relationship of personal trust with their pediatrician is lacking: it was considered, the mothers said, “numbers”; The waiting times unacceptable for the appointment mature: even more than 1 year for vaccinations against meningococcal meningitis B; excessive rigidity are found in changing appointment, and dissatisfaction on the opening hours, costs and times of services “, he explains.

In fact, about 3 mothers interviewed out of 4 expose some anxiety in relation to vaccines: the main concern is that of the side effects (53 percent of mothers), follow the negative interference with the immune system (24 percent), the first doses administered when the child is too small (23 percent) and too many vaccines administered on the same day (22 percent).

Although considered efficient by 78 percent of Lombard mothers – A little less convinced are the mothers of the youngest children in which the percentage drops to 72 percent – The vaccination center shows numerous critical issues: the cost of the service in case of non-gratuitousness of the performance, the waiting time on the phone for reservations (a particularly critical aspect for children of children 0-2 years), the waiting time to have a Appointment, the opening hours of the Center. Only in relation to the proximity of the centers and the regularity of the letter for the convocation, the mothers say they are really satisfied.

Dolent Note: 1 year old waiting times, to have an appointment for the vaccine against meningococcal meningitis B. 61 percent of the interviewees indicate that there are no justifications at such a long waiting time; Only 1 out of 4 mom finds this wait normal, given the recent exploit of the cases of meningitis.

“We are well aware of this situation of discomfort, which mothers show – resumes Missaglia. Not from today, however. For many years we have reported to the institutions, primarily the Lombardy Region, these aspects. Last November, we sent to the Department of Welfare and the Healthcare Commission and Social Policies of the Regional Council a document containing numerous proposals to improve the service, not only vaccination. The result of an in -depth analysis of the territorial health offer, carried out in collaboration with the Cergas (research and management of health and social assistance), among other things, it proposes that even family pediatricians can vaccinate in their clinics, as many mothers urge.

Some simple, but fundamental results would be obtained: the increase in vaccination coverage, thanks also to the work of direct awareness of the parents, supported by the relationship of trust between the parties; the reduction of the waiting lists, especially for super-ruling vaccinations such as the one against meningitis. In fact, where the project to vaccinate in the study of your pediatrician has already been experimented and implemented, greater coverage results have been achieved, with full satisfaction of the user, for the possibility of choosing the most suitable moment for vaccination based on physical conditions of the baby. Finally, a simple notation – points out -, despite many stresses over the years, still today the family pediatrician does not have access to the data of the vaccinations of their clients within the Lombard Health Information System: we are not allowed to know if a child was vaccinated or not, we must ask parents “.

Finally, however, after long wait, something seems to have put into movement in these days in which the attention of the Region to the theme of vaccinations is growing. “We started a serious dialogue with the commissioner Giulio Gallera on these issues, and we hope it is possible to arrive at a shared solution that will satisfy the legitimate desires of mothers. On the other hand, parents put great confidence and expectation in our role, so much so that 81 percent of Lombard mothers are considered satisfied with their family pediatrician “, concludes Missaglia.