583. Preferences and Attitudes of Healthcare Providers towards Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines (PCVs) for Children Ages Two and Under in the United States (US)
Authors: Mohanty Salini , Tsai Jui-Hua , Ning Ning , Pena-Molina Ana , Verma Rishi P , Heisen Marieke , Weaver Jessica , Feemster Kristen A , Weiss Thomas , Schmier Jordana 
Published: December 2022

Abstract

Background
As higher-valent PCVs are currently in late-stage clinical development for pediatric use, it is important to understand how healthcare providers (HCPs) evaluate vaccine attributes when making recommendations for newer PCVs. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices considers feasibility and stakeholder acceptability in making vaccine recommendations; this study examined HCP preferences and attitudes towards new, higher-valent PCVs in children in the US.

Methods
Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 13 HCPs (6 pediatricians, 3 family practitioners, 3 nurse practitioners, and 1 physician assistant). US HCPs were recruited from an online panel and were eligible if they recommended or prescribed vaccines to children ≤ 2 years and spent ≥ 2 days a week providing care to pediatric patients. Providers were asked to rate a list of PCV attributes (generated by literature search) by their importance in influencing their PCV choices (1, not important; 10, most important). Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed.

Results
Among HCPs (mean age=49 years; 62% women; 38% urban, 38% suburban; mean years in practice=18 years), three main themes emerged: 1) Preferred attributes: The three most important PCV characteristics that affect HCPs’ recommendations are effectiveness against serotype 3 (rated 9.1), percent serotype coverage for invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) (rated 8.9), and immune response for the shared PCV13 serotypes (rated 8.2). 2) PCV choice: Most respondents are interested in having more PCV options, particularly options with higher efficacy or broader serotype coverage. 3) Immunogenicity vs serotype coverage: Between a higher immune response to certain serotypes and broader serotype coverage, 46% of HCPs prefer PCVs that elicit a higher immune response but narrower coverage, 31% prefer a PCV with broader serotype coverage, and 23% require more data before making a determination.

Conclusion
Both immune response and breadth of serotype coverage may influence HCPs decisions when recommending new PCVs. Additional analyses and interviews are underway to validate these findings and further explore other factors that may influence their preferences for recommending PCVs.

Disclosures
Salini Mohanty, DrPH, MPH, Merck & Co., Inc.: Employee Jui-Hua Tsai, MD, MHS, OPEN Health: Employee of OPEN Health, which received funding from Merck & Co., Inc. to conduct this research Ning Ning, PhD, MS, Open Health: I am an employee of OPEN Health, which received funding from Merck Ana Pena-Molina, MPH, OPEN Health: I am an employee of OPEN Health, which received funding from Merck Rishi P. Verma, MPH, OPEN Health: I am an employee of OPEN Health, which received funding from Merck Marieke Heisen, PhD, MSc, OPEN Health: I am an employee of OPEN Health, which received funding from Merck Jessica Weaver, PhD, MPH, Merck & Co., Inc.: Employee Kristen A. Feemster, MD, MPH, MSHPR, FAAP, Merck & Co., Inc.: Employee Thomas Weiss, DrPH, MPH, Merck & Co., Inc.: Employee Jordana Schmier, MA, OPEN Health: I am an employee of OPEN Health, which received funding from Merck.