REPORTED GENERAL-PRACTITIONER VACCINATION PROCEDURES, 1994 AND 1996

Objective: To determine general practitioner (GP) vaccination procedur es during the first two years of implementation of the National Childh ood Immunisation Program. Design: Two cross-sectional self-completion mail surveys of Australian GPs, in October/November 1994 (Survey 1) an d April/May 1996 (Survey 2). Participants: 1417 systematically selecte d (Survey 1) and 1482 randomly selected (Survey 2) GPs. Intervention: Mailing of a package of publications on immunisation to all GPs, a com munity education campaign, and the introduction of the Australian Chil dhood Immunisation Register. State and Territory and local initiatives on immunisation, changes in vaccine distribution and funding, and med ia coverage of vaccination issues may also have affected GPs' procedur es. Main outcome measures: Reported vaccination procedures consistent with National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) recommendati ons. Results: Response rates were 77% (Survey 1) and 78% (Survey 2). T here were statistically significant rises in the proportions of GPs wh o reported vaccination procedures consistent with NHMRC recommendation s for simultaneous administration of vaccines, injection site, vaccina tion of children taking antibiotics or those with mild upper respirato ry tract infection, and vaccine storage. There was a reduction in repo rted opportunistic vaccination, and no change in reported procedures r egarding pertussis vaccination. Conclusions: Many factors may have con tributed to these changes in GP vaccination procedures. While the chan ges mostly show an improvement in adherence to NHMRC guidelines, furth er progress needs to be made, particularly in the areas of opportunist ic vaccination, pertussis vaccination and vaccine storage. The best me thod of informing GPs of current vaccination recommendations needs to be explored.