Pharmacies Expand Vaccination Services for Flu Season
German pharmacies are set to expand their vaccination offerings for influenza and COVID-19 in the upcoming season. ABDA anticipates a doubling of pharmacies providing vaccinations.
Berlin – The German Association of Pharmacists (ABDA) announced an expansion of vaccination services for the upcoming 2026/27 influenza season. ABDA President Thomas Preis informed the Rheinische Post and Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger newspapers that pharmacies intend to offer influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations more broadly.
Initial flu vaccine deliveries began in mid-August, with nationwide availability expected by October. ABDA anticipates that new regulations will lead to a doubling of pharmacies offering vaccinations, potentially from around 500 last year to thousands in North Rhine-Westphalia alone, given the total number of pharmacies in the state.
According to Preis, pharmacies will also be able to offer vaccinations year-round, not just seasonally in autumn. Within the coming weeks, vaccinations against tetanus, tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), and travel-related diseases are also planned for pharmacy services. ABDA aims to increase vaccination rates, which are currently considered too low in Germany.
ABDA defends the pharmacies' vaccination services against criticism from medical associations. Preis stated that the easily accessible services offered by pharmacies reach individuals who might not otherwise seek vaccinations. This expansion is part of a broader reform in the pharmacy sector aimed at enhancing medication supply accessibility in Germany.