Publication date: May 20, 2026
Background/Objectives: Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) are widely regarded as trusted sources of health information and can play a pivotal role in increasing seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) within their communities. We aimed to explore PCPs’ attitudes toward SIV and their views regarding proposed strategies to enhance SIV uptake in the evolving post-pandemic landscape. Methods: A qualitative study utilizing semi-structured individual interviews with a nationwide sample of 25 PCPs was conducted. Results: Physicians’ attitudes toward SIV were overwhelmingly positive; they recognized its protective value for individuals and the community alike, its efficacy in averting serious illness, and its proven safety profile. Regarding strengthening SIV uptake, PCPs positively appraised the following strategies: (a) viewing all clinical encounters as opportunities for vaccination; (b) outsourcing vaccination to nursing, allied health staff and community pharmacists, provided that specific prerequisites are met; (c) forwarding personalized notifications to health providers and (d) the public; and (e) establishing at-home vaccinations. Financial incentives would reportedly act as tangible acknowledgement and motivate PCPs to work toward primary prevention. However, others have argued that SIV is inherently embedded in their duty as PCPs, and potential remunerations would dwindle the public’s confidence in PCPs. Establishing incentives for the general population reportedly minimizes confidence and the perceived value of SIVs and was assessed to be ineffective in the Greek context. Promoting SIVs through video games was considered to be less effective for the adult population. Conclusions: Mapping PCPs’ insights is key in designing effective SIV strategies that are concurrent with communities’ values, needs, and learnt experience from the COVID-19 pandemic.
| Concepts | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Basel | Greece |
| Greece | physicians |
| Home | primary care |
| Pandemic | qualitative study |
| Vaccinations | seasonal influenza vaccination |
| vaccine confidence | |
| vaccine uptake |
Semantics
| Type | Source | Name |
|---|---|---|
| disease | MESH | Influenza |
| drug | DRUGBANK | Etoperidone |
| drug | DRUGBANK | Methionine |
| disease | MESH | COVID-19 pandemic |