Attitudes of Victorian vaccine providers to pertussis vaccine

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the attitudes of Victorian vaccine providers to the pertussis component of the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine (DTP), and to examine differences between kinds of health professionals. Also, to assess vaccine providers' understanding of National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) guidelines on childhood immunisation with DTP. Methods: We conducted a postal survey of 765 randomly selected Victorian health professionals involved in childhood vaccination, including medical officers of health (MOHs), general practitioners (GPs), maternal child health nurses (MCHNs), paediatricians and environmental health officers (EHOs). Results: Most (83%) knew that the pertu..