KEYWORDS:
rotavirus, vaccine, survey

BACKGROUND:
Rhesus-based rotavirus tetravalent vaccine (RRV-TV, RotaShieldâ) was licensed and recommended for routine use among infants in the US in 1998. After studies confirmed an increased risk of intussusception following vaccine administration, RRV-TV was withdrawn voluntarily from the market in October 1999.

OBJECTIVE(S):
To investigate if pediatricians would use another rotavirus vaccine or reconsider using RRV-TV and to determine factors influencing their opinion

METHOD(S):
Survey sent to a random sample of 437 members of the Georgia Chapter of the AAP by postal, fax, or E-mail system. Non-responders received up to two reminder surveys.

RESULT(S):
Of the 437 pediatricians surveyed, 230 (53%) responded, and of these 181 primary providers were eligible for the final analysis. 87% of respondents reported that they would not give RRV-TV if it were available today. However, 95% reported that they would use a new rotavirus vaccine if proven safer than RRV-TV and if recommended by the AAP and ACIP for routine use among infants. 93% of pediatricians perceived fear of adverse reactions as a barrier to reintroducing a vaccine, followed by amount of time required to educate parents (65%), and high cost of the vaccine (59%). Pediatricians favoring use of a new rotavirus vaccine were those who considered rotavirus disease a major burden for children in the US, graduated from medical school in the past 10 years, and/or referred >10 children with vomiting and diarrhea to a hospital or ER in the past year (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS(S):
Pediatricians surveyed reported that they would use a rotavirus vaccine if it were safe and recommended by the AAP and ACIP. For a rotavirus vaccine to be successfully reintroduced, potential barriers may include fear of adverse reactions, time needed to educate parents, and cost of the vaccine.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Identify potential users of a rotavirus vaccination
Identify barriers to reintroduction of a rotavirus vaccine