General practitioners' challenges during the 2009/A/H1N1 vaccination campaigns in Australia, Israel and England: a...

The 2009/A/H1N1 influenza vaccination campaign was managed mainly by general practitioners (GPs); however, little is known about the challenges GPs encountered during the vaccination campaign.

To analyse the challenges GPs encountered during the 2009/A/H1N1 vaccination campaign.

In-depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with GPs in Australia, Israel and England, and subjected to thematic analysis.

GPs experienced different levels of autonomy when organising vaccinations in clinics. Their significant role was the provision of advice about the vaccine to the patients. This role was challenged by the necessity to provide the advice as a response to the anti-vaccination messages in the media and because GPs harboured doubts about mass vaccination policies.

It is important that GPs accept the rationale behind vaccination campaigns and should be given accurate information about the vaccine before the campaign commences. Trustful, two-way channels for communication between GPs and public health authorities should also be established.