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Herpes Zoster Vaccine / Vaccines · Journal article
Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics · June 8, 2026
Early or partial results. Treat as a signal, not a conclusion.
This nationwide survey of 1,772 Chinese rheumatologists documents substantial knowledge gaps regarding herpes zoster and its vaccines, with a median knowledge score of 7 out of 13. Although 96.4% express conditional support for vaccination in autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic disease (AIIRD) patients and 76.5% report actively recommending vaccination, major barriers persist, including limited consultation time (52.2%), perceived low HZ incidence (42.8%), and lack of patient concern (31.3%), particularly among junior physicians. The work identifies educational priorities but does not demonstrate the efficacy of any intervention or measure actual vaccination uptake or clinical outcomes.
Nationwide cross-sectional survey. Rheumatologists from multiple provinces across China; mean age 41.4 years, 67.3% female; most held a master's degree (44.1%) or bachelor's degree (38.9%); clinical titles distributed as associate chief (31.3%), chief (26.4%), attending (26.2%), and junior physicians (16.0%).. n = 1,772. Multiple provinces across China (nationwide survey).
Median knowledge score was 7 (IQR: 6–9) out of 13 items among 1,772 rheumatologists Higher regional GDP per capita (β = 0.020, p = .040), advanced education (β = 0.234, p < .001), and greater clinical seniority (β = 0.296, p < .001) independently associated with higher knowledge scores 96.4% of respondents reported conditional support for vaccinating patients with AIIRDs, contingent on pre-vaccination risk assessment and adherence to protocols
Safety was not reported in the material analysed. Check the source before drawing any conclusion about harm.
This survey reveals substantial heterogeneity in HZ vaccination knowledge and practice readiness among Chinese rheumatologists, with lower competency among junior physicians and those in resource-limited regions. Clinicians should recognize these gaps as targets for continuing education and consider that physician-level barriers—not just patient factors—limit vaccination uptake in high-risk AIIRD populations; however, the survey provides no evidence that any specific educational intervention improves actual vaccination rates or patient outcomes.
This is a descriptive cross-sectional survey of knowledge and attitudes among Chinese rheumatologists regarding herpes zoster vaccination, with no comparator group or clinical outcome data; it identifies practice gaps and barriers but provides no evidence of intervention efficacy or clinical impact.
As stated by the source record.
Quoted from the source exactly as published.
This survey reveals substantial heterogeneity in HZ vaccination knowledge and practice readiness among Chinese rheumatologists, with lower competency among junior physicians and those in resource-limited regions. Clinicians should recognize these gaps as targets for continuing education and consider that physician-level barriers—not just patient factors—limit vaccination uptake in high-risk AIIRD populations; however, the survey provides no evidence that any specific educational intervention improves actual vaccination rates or patient outcomes.
Graded across the dimensions that decide whether you should act, each from what the source actually supports. There is no single score, and where a dimension was not assessed it says so.
To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding herpes zoster (HZ) and its vaccination among rheumatologists in China. A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted between April 1 and May 31, 2025, using the Questionnaire Star online platform. The questionnaire assessed sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of HZ and its vaccine (via a 13-item scale), attitudes and behaviors regarding vaccination, and willingness to disseminate information. Ordinal logistic regression was applied to identify associated factors of knowledge scores, while subgroup analyses were conducted to evaluate attitude-related factors. A total of 1,772 rheumatologists from a wide range of provinces participated (mean age: 41.4 y; 67.3% female). Regarding professional background, most held a master's degree (44.1%), followed by a bachelor's (38.9%) and doctoral degree (17.0%). Clinical titles were distributed as associate chief (31.3%), chief (26.4%), attending (26.2%), and junior physicians (16.0%). The median knowledge score was 7 (IQR: 6-9). Multivariable analysis revealed that higher regional GDP per capita (β = 0.020, p =.040), advanced education (β = 0.234, p <.001), and greater clinical seniority (β = 0.296, p <.001) were independently associated with higher knowledge scores. Clinically, physicians expressed significant concern primarily in three areas: HZ's potential to interfere with the underlying autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRDs) (89.0%), HZ-related complications (81.5%), and deterioration of patient quality of life (73.0%). Notably, 65.6% of respondents were concerned about all three aspects simultaneously. Regarding vaccination attitudes, 96.4% of respondents reported conditional support for vaccinating patients with AIIRDs, contingent upon pre-vaccination risk assessment and adherence to recommended protocols. Additionally, 80.0% favored prioritizing recombinant vaccines. Subgroup analyses indicated that higher clinical seniority was significantly associated with more supportive attitudes (p <.001). In clinical practice, 76.5% of physicians reported actively recommending HZ vaccination, although several barriers remained. The main reasons for not recommending included limited consultation time (52.2%), perception of low HZ incidence (42.8%), and lack of patient concern (31.3%). Targeted education and strengthened rheumatologist-led counseling may help address existing barriers, particularly among junior physicians in under-resourced settings. Such measures could contribute to improving HZ vaccination uptake and protection in patients with AIIRDs.
Taken from the source record, never inferred. Follow any of these and new work involving them reaches your briefing.