UK healthcare professionals’ attitudes towards the introduction of varicella vaccine into the routine childhood vaccination schedule and their preferences for delivery

ABSTRACT Background Varicella (chickenpox) is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Although typically a mild disease, varicella can cause complications leading to severe illness and even death. Safe and effective varicella vaccines are available. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation is planning to review the evidence regarding the introduction of varicella vaccine into the UK’s routine childhood immunisation schedule. Objectives To explore UK healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) knowledge and attitudes towards varicella vaccination, its introduction to the UK routine childhood immunisation schedule, and their preferences for how it should be delivered. Design We conducted an online cross-sectional survey exploring HCPs’ attitudes towards varicella, varicella vaccine, and their preferences for delivery of the vaccine between August and September 2022. Participants 91 HCPs working in the UK (96.7% female, 3.3% male, mean age 48.7 years). Results General vaccine attitudes in this group were very positive. Gaps in knowledge about varicella were revealed: 21.0% of respondents disagreed or were unsure that chickenpox can cause serious complications, while 41.8% were unsure or did not believe chickenpox was serious enough to vaccinate against. After receiving some basic information about chickenpox and the vaccine, almost half of the HCPs (47.3%) in our survey would prefer to administer the varicella vaccine combined with MMR. Conclusions Given the positive influence of HCPs on parents’ decisions to vaccinate their children, it is important to understand HCPs’ views regarding the introduction of varicella vaccine into the routine schedule. Our findings highlighted areas for training and HCPs’ preferences which will have implications for policy and practice should the vaccine be introduced.