Satisfaction of parents or accompanying persons with vaccination services for children and youngsters being vaccinated

: A patient satisfaction survey aimed to assess the quality of immunization services was carried out as part of the new regional vaccination plan launched in Piemonte in 1999 to comply with the targets of the national immunization program. In January and February 2001, persons accompanying children for vaccination at the outpatient clinics were requested to fill a self-administered questionnaire with questions on the organization of the immunization services, the health care facilities, the attitude of the health care workers and the quality of the information provided. The response rate was 93%. Overall, satisfaction with the immunization services scored generally high, except for the quality of the information provided to the public. Many interviewees complained that the written/verbal information about the vaccination schedules was either lacking or insufficient. The survey results indicate a need for better training and updating of health care workers so that they can give immunization service users correct information as requested.