Pharmacists to give flu vaccine this autumn

This autumn, flu vaccines will again be able to be given in pharmacies as well as by doctors, Belgian health minister Frank Vandenbroucke has confirmed.

The aim is to increase vaccination coverage, which is still too low in Belgium, particularly for some at-risk groups, the minister said.

Pharmacists were already used during the pandemic to give the Covid-19 vaccine from winter 2021/2022. Last year it was also possible to be vaccinated against the flu without a prescription from a doctor at a pharmacy.

This winter, the World Health Organisation and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control have recommended launching a campaign to give Covid-19 and the flu vaccine boosters together – a call approved by Belgium’s superior health council and the interministerial conference for public health.

This means that, from 1 October to 31 December, anyone can be vaccinated for Covid-19 and for flu in pharmacies equipped and trained to do so.

"In 11 surrounding countries, for example in France and Germany, pharmacists have been authorised to give flu vaccines for a long time," said Vandenbroucke.

"We see that vaccination coverage is higher in these countries, precisely because pharmacists have a lot of contact with the population."

The role of pharmacists as primary healthcare providers has already been reinforced earlier this year, though support for chronic patients in monitoring their treatment or watching out for excessive consumption of medication such as sleeping pills.