On October 7, Sermo, a social community platform for medical doctors, launched the outcomes of a survey on healthcare suppliers’ opinions concerning the newest Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) suggestions. Responses revealed each confidence and concern, significantly concerning COVID-19.
Healthcare Innovation’s Mark Hagland just lately reported on the ACIP’s conferences in September to hammer out vaccine insurance policies, which turned chaotic. The Committee in the end voted—amid robust opposition from some members—to make a number of adjustments to vaccine schedules, Hagland reported. It voted to not enable a federal vaccine program to cowl the price of a mix vaccine that protects towards measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella, also referred to as chickenpox, whereas indefinitely suspending a vote on hepatitis B vaccination. Moreover, it voted to maneuver away from common vaccination utilizing mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 prevention.
Sermo reported that one in 4 clinicians struggled to interpret the brand new steering. Pediatricians stood out particularly, with greater than half reporting confusion, and one in 5 describing the suggestions as very complicated. Three areas recognized as considerations have been COVID-19 (77 p.c), MMR/Varicella (58 p.c), and HepB (55 p.c).
Most survey respondents supported the ACIP’s choices, with 29 p.c strongly agreeing and 43 p.c considerably agreeing. Nonetheless, the info revealed a extra nuanced image when damaged down by specialty. Pediatricians have been extra skeptical, with almost 70 p.c disagreeing to a point.
When it got here to COVID-19 vaccine suggestions, six in ten respondents stated that the brand new suggestions have been grounded in real-world scientific proof. Suppliers strongly favored federal pointers (63 p.c) over state-by-state decision-making.
The ACIP additionally up to date its suggestions for childhood vaccines, together with recommendation that youngsters underneath age 4 obtain separate MMR and varicella pictures as an alternative of the mixed MMRV vaccine. On this, suppliers have been divided, with 60 p.c agreeing and 40 p.c disagreeing.
Sermo surveyed 243 healthcare professionals – together with US PCPs, pharmacists, pediatricians, OB/GYNs, and NP/PAs.
