[Vaccination practices following the end of compulsory BCG vaccination. A cross-sectional survey of general practitioners and pediatricians].

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis prevention has been based on generalized BCG vaccination in France since 1949. The aim of this cross-sectional survey was to assess the impact of the change in BCG administration (in January 2006) and the end of compulsory vaccination (in July 2007).

METHOD: A self-administered postal questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 2248 physicians practicing in 6 departments in the Rhône-Alpes region in 2008.

RESULTS

Overall, 923 questionnaires were analyzed. The median age of the respondents was 52 years, 67 % were male, 93 % were general practitioners, and 91 % practiced in private practice offices. The median number of BCG vaccines administered on a quarterly basis was 5 (interquartile range [IQR], 3-10) before January 2006, one (IQR, 0-3) between January 2006 and July 2007, and zero (IQR, 0-1) after July 2007 (P<0.001). The rate of BCG vaccination was significantly lower for male physicians, physicians older than 50 years, general practitioners, practitioners working in private offices, and for some departments. Thirty-nine percent of the physicians were informed of the national program against tuberculosis 2007-2009, and 41 % wished to be trained in the practice of intradermal vaccination.

CONCLUSION

This survey suggests that the withdrawal of Monovax and the lifting of generalized vaccination requirements were followed by a substantial decrease in the number of BCG vaccinations. The intradermal route constitutes an obstacle for BCG vaccination that might be overcome by specific training.