Open AccessReasons Physicians Accepted or Declined Smallpox Vaccine, February Through April, 2003
Author(s) -
Benin Andrea L.,
Dembry Louise,
Shapiro Eugene D.,
Holmboe Eric S.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of general internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.746
H-Index - 180
eISSN - 1525-1497
pISSN - 0884-8734
DOI - 10.1111/j.1525-1497.2004.36005.x
Subject(s) - medicine , smallpox , smallpox vaccine , vaccination , family medicine , compensation (psychology) , immunology , social psychology , psychology , biochemistry , chemistry , vaccinia , gene , recombinant dna
From February to April 2003, we performed an e‐mail‐based survey to assess responses of physicians at Yale University to being offered smallpox vaccine. Of 58 respondents, 3 (5%) had been or intended to be vaccinated. Reasons cited for declining vaccination included: belief that benefits did not outweigh risks (55%), belief that the vaccination program was unnecessary (18%), desire to wait and see what side effects occurred in vaccinees (11%), and worries about compensation or liability (7%). Most (94%) considered risks to themselves, family, or patients in their decision. Only 3% thought a smallpox attack in the next 5 years was likely or very likely. Physicians did not accept the smallpox vaccine because they did not believe the potential benefits were sufficient.