On October 7, Sermo, a social network platform for doctors, released the results of a survey on healthcare providers' opinions about the latest Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations. Responses revealed both confidence and concern, particularly regarding COVID-19.
Healthcare Innovation’s Mark Hagland recently reported on the ACIP’s meetings in September to hammer out vaccine policies, which turned chaotic. The Committee ultimately voted—amid strong opposition from some members—to make several changes to vaccine schedules, Hagland reported. It voted not to allow a federal vaccine program to cover the cost of a combination vaccine that protects against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella, also known as chickenpox, while indefinitely postponing a vote on hepatitis B vaccination. Additionally, it voted to move away from universal vaccination using mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 prevention.
Sermo reported that one in four clinicians struggled to interpret the new guidance. Pediatricians stood out in particular, with more than half reporting confusion, and one in five describing the recommendations as very confusing. Three areas identified as concerns were COVID-19 (77 percent), MMR/Varicella (58 percent), and HepB (55 percent).
Most survey respondents supported the ACIP’s decisions, with 29 percent strongly agreeing and 43 percent somewhat agreeing. However, the data revealed a more nuanced picture when broken down by specialty. Pediatricians were more skeptical, with nearly 70 percent disagreeing to some degree.
When it came to COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, six in ten respondents said that the new recommendations were grounded in real-world clinical evidence. Providers strongly favored federal guidelines (63 percent) over state-by-state decision-making.
The ACIP also updated its recommendations for childhood vaccines, including advice that children under age 4 receive separate MMR and varicella shots instead of the combined MMRV vaccine. On this, providers were divided, with 60 percent agreeing and 40 percent disagreeing.
Sermo surveyed 243 healthcare professionals – including US PCPs, pharmacists, pediatricians, OB/GYNs, and NP/PAs.
