The impact of empowering community physicians to prescribe vaccines on public vaccination: a grounded theory interview study

Objective: Vaccination plays a crucial role in reducing the incidence and mortality of infectious diseases. However, the lack of convenient vaccination service conditions hinders vaccination rates. Weifang City in China has implemented a Vaccine Health Education Prescription (VHEP) policy, enabling qualified community physicians to provide immunization health services, including the issuance of vaccination prescriptions, to patients. This study explores the current implementation status and impact of the VHEP, aiming to further refine the policy and enhance the preventive vaccination health service model. Methods: Conducted one-on-one semi-structured interviews with 11 managers and 20 community physicians. Based on grounded theory, a theoretical framework of influencing factors for VHEP was constructed. Results: The VHEP policy encountered several challenges, including limited resources for implementers, low enthusiasm for participation among residents, and insufficient training mechanisms. Its effectiveness was contingent upon four fundamental elements: participant state, management mechanism, capacity building, and development foundation. The primary aspects of enhancing the service quality of the VHEP policy encompassed cognition, input, and guarantee. Conclusion: Authorizing community physicians to prescribe vaccines can significantly improve vaccination rates. Furthermore, enhancing individual awareness, increasing resource investment, and refining relevant policies can further promote the effective implementation of the VHEP.