The awareness of shingles vaccine and its protective efficacy among health care providers in primary health care centers of Riyadh

Introduction: Varicella, a highly contagious childhood infection, is widespread globally. The disease burden related to varicella is substantial, emphasizing the importance of childhood vaccination for prevention. Objective: The study aims to evaluate healthcare providers’ understanding, beliefs, gaps, and attitudes regarding the shingles vaccine. It also identifies areas for potential education or intervention to enhance vaccine acceptance and recommendations. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using both electronic and hard copy questionnaires. The study targeted healthcare providers, including physicians and nurses, from primary healthcare centers in Riyadh. Participants were randomly selected, and only those who provided informed consent were included. The study assessed demographic characteristics (age, gender, profession, and experience), knowledge and attitudes toward varicella vaccination, and reasons for non-vaccination. Individuals not practicing in Riyadh, unwilling to provide consent, or unavailable during the study period were excluded. A total of 251 participants were recruited with prior approval from center administrators, and announcements were shared via internal communication channels. Results: This study evaluated the awareness and perceived efficacy of the shingles (herpes zoster) vaccine among 251 healthcare providers in primary health care centers in Riyadh. Most participants were young physicians with less than five years of experience and held at least a bachelor’s degree. A high proportion (90.8%) had heard of the vaccine, and 86.1% knew it is recommended for adults over 50. About 65.7% believed it to be very effective, and 80.5% considered it safe. However, barriers to patient uptake included lack of awareness (76.5%), fear of side effects (72.1%), and misconceptions about vaccine necessity (57.4%). Nearly half (45.8%) demonstrated a high level of knowledge, which was significantly associated with occupation, years of practice, and educational level. Despite positive attitudes, inconsistencies in practice remain. The majority expressed interest in further training, highlighting the need for continued education to improve vaccine advocacy and increase patient vaccination rates. Conclusion: While the current study indicates a commendable awareness level among healthcare professionals regarding the shingles vaccine, significant barriers still limit the effective dissemination of this knowledge into practice.