Abstract:
Our aim was to describe characteristics of general practitioners (GPs) working in practices that achieve higher immunisation coverage and more timely delivery. We conducted computer-assisted telephone interviews with randomly selected GPs from randomly selected practices. Most GPs believed immunisation to be important and were confident about their knowledge of immunisation although assessment revealed their knowledge to be incomplete. A minority considered six weeks is too young to immunise. Greater GP knowledge and confidence in their knowledge was associated with higher practice immunisation coverage, whereas immunisation delivery was more timely at practices where GPs perceived parental access difficulties a barrier.
