Tunisian Pediatricians’ Attitudes and Practices Toward COVID-19 Immunization and Other Vaccines

Ines Cherif, Rabeb Gharbi, Ghassen Kharroubi, Walid Affes and Jihene Bettaieb ()
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Ines Cherif: Laboratory of Medical Epidemiology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
Rabeb Gharbi: Laboratory of Medical Epidemiology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
Ghassen Kharroubi: Laboratory of Medical Epidemiology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
Walid Affes: Laboratory of Medical Epidemiology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
Jihene Bettaieb: Laboratory of Medical Epidemiology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 2, 1-13

Abstract: Pediatricians are among the most trusted sources of vaccine information for parents. We aimed, in this study, to describe the attitudes and practices of Tunisian pediatricians regarding non-National Immunization Schedule (NIS) vaccines, specifically the COVID-19 vaccination for children, and to identify factors associated with their willingness to recommend it. We conducted a national cross-sectional study among Tunisian pediatricians between July and October 2023 using a standardized questionnaire administered face-to-face. We calculated prevalence with 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) using multivariable logistic regression. Of 330 contacted pediatricians, 192 (58.2%) responded (mean age: 50.9 ± 12.9 years). The majority (89.1%, 95% CI: [84.6–93.5]) said that they recommend other vaccines that are not part of the NIS and 40.6% [33.7–47.6] declared their willingness to recommend the COVID-19 vaccination for children. The odds of pediatricians willing to recommend the COVID-19 vaccination for children were higher among those who believed that this vaccine would reduce school absenteeism (aOR = 2.3 [1.1–5.1]) and among those who have great confidence in the Ministry of Health’s recommendations regarding COVID-19 vaccination (aOR = 6.1 [2.2–16.9]). More than half of the pediatricians in Tunisia recommend other vaccines that are not part of the NIS but show hesitancy toward the COVID-19 vaccine. Thus, involving pediatricians in the decision-making process for childhood vaccination strategies is crucial.

Keywords: vaccines; pediatricians; attitude; practice; COVID-19; Tunisia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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