The German Federal Chamber of Pharmacists is laying the groundwork for expanding vaccination services in pharmacies. The legislation allows pharmacies to administer all non-live vaccines to adults.
Currently, pharmacists in Germany are authorised to administer influenza and COVID-19 vaccines only. The move follows the passage of the Pharmacy Supply Development Act by the Bundestag in May 2026.
Our shared professional and political goal is to increase vaccination rates in Germany. Pharmacies can help ensure that vaccinations against a wide range of infectious diseases are readily accessible across the country, thereby increasing vaccination rates
Dr Armin Hoffmann, President of the German Federal Chamber of Pharmacists.
“The necessary training materials are being developed, and training sessions are being planned. Once pharmacists and other pharmacy staff have obtained the required qualifications, pharmacies will be able to offer the additional vaccinations. Following negotiations on reimbursement, I expect that all vaccinations with non-live vaccines will be available in pharmacies and covered by health insurance by early 2027 at the latest. This is good news for everyone who wants to get vaccinated.”
Under the Pharmacy Supply Development Act (ApoVWG), the legislature tasked the Federal Chamber of Pharmacists with developing a curriculum defining the training requirements for administering the additional vaccines. The curriculum was adopted at the Chamber’s general assembly today.
“We have defined the continuing education requirements for pharmacists and other pharmacy staff in a curriculum. In developing it, we consulted the German Medical Association, among others, thereby laying the groundwork for further training for pharmacy teams,” Hoffmann said.
Pharmacists who are already authorised to administer influenza and COVID-19 vaccines will need additional training to administer other non-live vaccines.
On 29 September, the general assembly also adopted an updated version of the guidelines on quality assurance in vaccination services. The guidelines have been expanded to cover all non-live vaccines, whereas previously they applied only to influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations. The update also provides for vaccinations to be administered by other pharmacy professionals under a pharmacist’s supervision, following specialised training.
Further information on vaccinations in pharmacies, including a pharmacy search tool, is available at www.die-apotheken.de.
