Overview

• More than 350 pharmacies, practices and occupational health services are vaccinating into the evening on October 8 in the third annual “Lange Nacht des Impfens.”
• Coverage gaps remain wide, with only about 38% of people 60+ vaccinated against influenza in 2023/24 versus the WHO target of 75%, and large shortfalls in COVID-19 boosters.
• Participation varies sharply by region, with only four pharmacies taking part in Saxony-Anhalt, five in Saxony and only a few in Thuringia, while other states list broader offerings.
• A new Civey survey reports waning enthusiasm among 18–29-year-olds and finds 67.5% of respondents planning to skip a COVID booster this season.
• The health minister urges uptake and signals plans to expand pharmacy authority to additional inactivated vaccines, while recent research links influenza infection to higher short-term risks of stroke and heart attack.