Search

A new vaccine against systemic meningococcal serogroup B disease showed significant protection among Norwegian teenagers. From a total 233,000 students in the countrys mandatory secondary schools, 74% volunteered for the trial. We have analysed which factors were important for their decision whether or not to volunteer. A random sample of 10,000 students and all 3,000 professionals involved in the trial were subjects in a questionnaire study. Three factors had a dominant influence on the students decision: their parents opinion; the students appreciation of the importance of participation; and whether their friends participated. The teachers attitudes, the extent of information, geographic, socio-economic, and ideological factors all played a minor role in influencing the acceptance rate. Many teenagers reported fear of injections, but this fear was subject to modification by an information campaign. A 90–95% coverage rate is feasible in a vaccination programme for teenagers.