Four Reasons to Increase Vaccinations in Pharmacies

In an effort to address vaccination gaps and enhance public health in Germany, several pharmacist associations and organizations have come together to endorse a consensus document aimed at strengthening and expanding vaccination services in pharmacies. This initiative has gained support from notable groups including AByou, the Federal Association of Supply Pharmacists (BVVA), the Federal Association of German Pharmacy Cooperatives (BVDAK), the Pharmacy Think Tank, and the Association of Innovative Pharmacies (via.health). The document has been developed with input from health economist Uwe May and political scientist Cosima Bauer, and is supported by Pfizer Pharma.

According to the BVDAK board, the goal is to bolster and maintain comprehensive, community-based healthcare services across Germany. They emphasized the need to leverage the full range of professional skills and resources available in public pharmacies, stating that pharmacists can provide a wider array of complex healthcare services than currently offered, particularly through an expansion of vaccination programs.

Stefan Hartmann, the chair of the BVDAK, advocates for increased vaccination activities within pharmacies. He highlighted the crucial role pharmacies play in educating citizens and boosting vaccination willingness and rates. Hartmann noted that pharmacists are prepared to take on more responsibilities in this area.

The associations have outlined four key arguments supporting this initiative. Firstly, they assert that vaccinations are medically justified and safe within pharmacy settings. They reference data from existing vaccination programs, including flu and COVID-19 vaccines administered in pharmacies, which indicate no safety risks associated with these services.

Furthermore, the associations believe that providing vaccinations in pharmacies will enhance public willingness to vaccinate and raise overall vaccination rates. Pharmacies are positioned to offer accessible, community-based services without the need for advance appointments, thereby encouraging many residents to receive vaccinations, often for the first time.

Looking ahead, the BVDAK anticipates that nearly half of all pharmacies in Germany will participate in vaccination programs if economic incentives are presented. These incentives would include appropriate compensation and favorable operational conditions. The BVDAK calls for health insurers to reimburse costs for vaccines and pharmacist fees through individual contractual agreements.

Implementing vaccination services in pharmacies strengthens local pharmacy operations. Pharmacists can integrate their professional expertise more directly into patient care, which can enhance job satisfaction and help attract new talent to the profession. Vaccination services are viewed as a strategically valuable component in the vision for the future of pharmacies.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, pharmacies in Germany have been authorized to administer flu vaccines to individuals aged 18 and over and COVID-19 vaccinations to those aged 12 and older. The discussion surrounding the potential for pharmacies to provide an expanded range of vaccinations is ongoing and has been a topic of debate in various forums, including political discussions organized by the ABDA and women's health forums.