How Were European GPs/FPs Involved in the COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign? A European
Questionnaire Study about the Experiences of the Vaccinations in 2021
Background: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has become the greatest public health challenge
worldwide. Soon after the appearance of the virus in 2019, intensive efforts to develop
vaccines were initiated, and by late 2020, delivery of vaccines for the targeted population
as a campaign had started. Aim: Collect information from European Union countries
regarding how and to what extent were family physicians (FPs)/general practitioners
(GPs) involved in the vaccination campaigns in 2021 and how these were organized at
the national level. Method: A short questionnaire was distributed through the secretariats
of WONCA (World Organization of Family Doctors) Europe and the European Forum for
Primary Care (EFPC). Results: In most of the countries, participation of FPs/GPs was
compulsory. The vaccination was usually centrally organized by governmental authorities.
In the beginning, registration (web-based) of patients was required, mainly at the
national level. By the middle of 2021, vaccination on a walk-in basis became available
in almost every country for the first immunization as well as for the booster injections.
The remunerations of GPs/FPs differed; in some countries, no extra payments were offered.
The Pfizer vaccine was used in all countries, while in nine countries, non-European
Medicines Agency (EMA)-approved vaccines were also given in primary care settings
and at vaccination centers. In some countries, professional homepages helped the GPs.
The involvement of primary health care (PHC) providers did not correlate to the vaccination
coverage of the entire population of the respective countries. It was the highest
in the more developed countries with higher living standards, where participation
of GPs was voluntary and appropriate financial incentives were offered to them. Conclusions:
The vaccination campaign was a professional and logistic challenge and an excellent
performance of PCH providers. Experiences gained could be used in the future to manage
similar pandemic challenges.