Quebec vaccinators lack conviction with respect to vaccinations

A questionnaire was mailed to all vaccinators in Quebec in 1998. The object ive of this survey was to document vaccinators' attitudes, knowledge, and p ractices related to vaccination. Vaccinators generally believe in the security, efficacy and usefulness of v accines given to young children. However, 41% of nurses do nor fully agree with these opinions. More than 94% of pediatricians completely disagree tha t "certain practices (homeopathy, good earing habits and a healthy lifestyl e) can eliminate the need for vaccination", compared with 85% of general pr actitioners and only 60% of nurses. Less than 25% of doctors recall children who are late in getting their immu nizations; approximately 45% of vaccinators are in complete agreement with simultaneous injections of two vaccines; many circumstances are incorrectly seen as contra indications for vaccination. Public health authorities should target systematic interventions towards va ccinators to improve this situation and to increase nurses' conviction rega rding the benefits of vaccination.