Czechia will launch a pioneering trial in October 2025 enabling weekend flu vaccinations at four pharmacies across major urban centres, marking a significant shift in preventive healthcare accessibility, according to Euractiv.
The pilot project, confirmed by the Health Ministry, aims to evaluate whether pharmacy-based immunisation could ease pressure on primary care services while accommodating working professionals unable to attend weekday appointments.
Selected pharmacies in Prague, Brno, and Ostrava will offer the service under medical supervision during weekends, with bookings opening in September alongside potential walk-in availability.
Vaccinations will be administered exclusively by physicians in designated consultation rooms following patient consent, targeting paying customers aged 18–65. Seniors remain covered by public insurance for free flu shots through existing channels.
Ministry spokesperson Ondřej Jakob emphasised the trial’s exploratory purpose:
“The purpose is to evaluate whether vaccination in pharmacies is realistic, in what form it might work, and what interest the public shows in this type of service,” Jakob told Czech Radio.
The initiative responds to Czechia’s demographic challenges and growing demand for flexible healthcare. Recent research by think tank Ministr zdraví reveals strong public appetite for expanded pharmacist roles, with most of respondents supporting pharmacists conducting medication reviews and basic health tests.
The pilot’s month-long operation will inform a comprehensive evaluation concluding mid-2026, potentially paving the way for nationwide implementation.
Despite projected benefits, the Czech Association of General Practitioners voices reservations. Spokesperson Jakub Šedivý insists any expansion must ensure “equal conditions” between pharmacies and clinics, demanding consistent regulatory oversight.
