Pharmacies Expanding Role in Vaccination Market

The involvement of pharmacies in the vaccination landscape has seen a significant rise, reflecting a growing trend in public health. Recent data indicates that while the number of recommended vaccinations has increased sharply over the years, the actual number of administered vaccines has plateaued.

During a recent survey conducted at the Pharmacon educational congress in Schladming, approximately one-third of respondents noted that their pharmacies were already administering vaccines. Although this may reflect a bias toward more proactive pharmacy teams, the trend is supported by statistics from the ABDA, which reveal that nearly 14,000 pharmacists have been trained for vaccinations by their respective state pharmacist chambers between 2020 and 2023. However, data for the previous year remains unavailable.

Despite a slight decline in Covid-19 vaccinations, which totaled 134,800 in 2023, pharmacies have experienced growth in influenza immunizations. Official figures show that between July 2023 and February 2024, a total of 97,200 flu vaccinations were administered by pharmacies.

The German government had aimed to expand the range of vaccines that could be offered in pharmacies, but the legislative initiative was halted due to the premature dissolution of the coalition. Nevertheless, there is a consensus among the Union, SPD, and Greens to revisit the matter post-election, focusing on integrating pharmacies more robustly into preventative healthcare.

The demand for vaccinations is expected to rise, as the number of recommended vaccines from the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) has increased from 20 to 28 over the last 15 years. This expansion includes more specific recommendations based on underlying health conditions, occupational hazards, and travel needs. Currently, nearly 90% of all vaccine-preventable diseases have associated vaccination recommendations, which also influence their reimbursement status.

According to an analysis by the Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (VFA), Germany currently has more than 70 licensed vaccines. Since the turn of the millennium, an average of five new vaccines have been approved each year, with notable spikes in 2009 due to the H1N1 flu pandemic and in 2020 amid advancements in high-dose vaccines and other innovative formulations. The new Covid-19 vaccines have largely contributed to the approvals seen from 2021 onward.

Furthermore, the VFA's analysis sheds light on the increase in vaccine-preventable diseases over the past 25 years. In 2000, there were ten bacterial and 13 viral diseases recognized as preventable by vaccines. By 2024, this number has risen to a total of 32 diseases, with the most significant increases occurring in viral illnesses. Eight new vaccine-preventable diseases have been added to the list, including Chikungunya, Covid-19, Dengue, Ebola, Herpes zoster, HPV, Japanese Encephalitis, and RSV. The pneumococcal vaccine is a recent addition in the bacterial category.