OBJECTIVES: General practitioners (GPs) play an essential role in France in the prescription and administration of vaccines. Understanding factors that influence GPs’ opinions regarding vaccination would help improve vaccination rate in the general population. The study objectives were to understand and describe GPs’ attitudes, beliefs and behaviours regarding vaccination, to develop a self-report tool enabling characterisation of GPs, to assess the prevalence and determinants of vaccination behaviours and to identify the modifiable barriers regarding vaccination. METHODS: Focus groups with French GPs (n=36) were conducted following a semi-structured interview guide. Main themes of the guide were identified through a literature review. Qualitative analysis enabled development of a conceptual framework based on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). Items were then generated based on GPs’ quotations. Cognitive debriefing interviews with GPs (n=10) were conducted to assess understanding, acceptability and content validity of the tool. Research methods and results were approved by a committee involving GPs, vaccination and tool development experts. RESULTS: Focus groups revealed that GPs’ attitudes, beliefs and behaviours regarding vaccination varied depending on target disease and population. GPs were influenced by factors classified in 6 themes: vaccine characteristics, disease characteristics, practical aspects, expected benefits, personal background and relationship with patients. These qualitative findings supported item generation of the tool to capture 39 detailed concepts. The tool was developed to be generic for any disease that could be prevented by vaccination. Comprehension testing to confirm the relevance and understanding of the tool is underway. CONCLUSIONS: The tool was developed following rigorous methodology based on documented qualitative research. The TPB seems appropriate for organising qualitative research findings. Characterisation of GPs based on their attitudes, beliefs and behaviours regarding vaccination is expected to predict their intention to vaccinate and thus enable development of efficient programs promoting vaccination. The next step is to perform psychometric validation.