Czechia Launches Pilot Program for Flu Vaccinations in Pharmacies

PRAGUE, Czech Republic — The Ministry of Health is set to launch a pilot program this autumn, allowing people to receive flu vaccinations at selected pharmacies. The initiative aims to assess whether improved accessibility will increase public interest in vaccinations.

Only 5 to 8 percent of Czechs receive a flu shot each year, significantly lower than the EU average. In the 65+ age demographic, where the EU target is 75 percent, the vaccination rate in Czechia lags at barely 20 percent. Health experts warn that this trend needs urgent attention, especially given the country’s aging population.

The pilot program will include four branches of the Benu pharmacy chain: two in Prague, one in Brno, and one in Ostrava. Registration for vaccinations will begin on September 1, 2025, with the vaccinations scheduled to run from October 4 to 26 on weekends between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Patients will sign a consent form and be taken to a consultation room, where a physician will administer the vaccine. General practitioners retain concerns about the initiative, emphasizing that pharmacies should meet the same standards as doctors. Jakub Šedivý from the Association of General Practitioners noted that low public awareness of vaccination benefits remains a significant barrier.

Despite concerns, the pilot is moving forward. Recent surveys indicate that nearly half of Czech pharmacists are open to participating if the program rolls out nationwide. The trial will last approximately one to two months, with evaluations continuing into late 2025. Adjustments to regulations, if necessary, would need the approval of the next government.

Pharmacy CEO Petr Doležal expressed hopes that the program would bolster vaccination rates, stating, “If we want to increase the vaccination rate of the Czech population, we must increase the availability of vaccinations.”