Vaccination night in Saxony - only a few pharmacies are participating

So far, only a few people in Saxony are getting vaccinated in pharmacies. According to a map from the initiative organized by the Federal Association of Supply Pharmacists (BVVA), only five pharmacies across the state are taking part in the nationwide "Long Night of Vaccination" on Wednesday. Pharmacies in Leipzig, Dresden, Freiberg and Chemnitz are taking part.

The campaign aims to help increase vaccination rates against influenza and COVID-19. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Saxony recently had a COVID-19 vaccination rate of 9% among people aged 60 and over, well below the national average of 20.9% - the lowest in Germany after Thuringia. In contrast, the state is in fifth place for flu vaccinations with 45.8%. According to the RKI, 75 percent is recommended.

Köpping: "Flu is not a harmless cold"

Health Minister Petra Köpping once again called for vaccinations at the start of the flu season. "Flu is not a harmless cold. We must not take this illness lightly," said the SPD politician.

According to the Saxon State Chamber of Pharmacists, it is not clear why only a few pharmacies are taking part in the vaccination campaign. Spokeswoman and deputy managing director Solveig Wolf said that the chamber had provided pharmacies with information material this year and left it up to them to organize their own campaigns. According to the Saxon Pharmacists' Association, it plans to take part in the nationwide campaign next year.

Holidays, shortage of skilled workers and lack of demand

Among the reasons for the low participation, the Saxon State Chamber of Pharmacists cited the vacation season and staff shortages. "It's the autumn vacations in Saxony, and pharmacy staff are also on vacation," said Wolf. In addition, many people prefer to be vaccinated by their GP. Vaccination in pharmacies is still new and needs to establish itself first.

According to the organizers, the Sonnen-Apotheke and Lipsia-Apotheke in Leipzig, the City-Apotheke am Goldenen Reiter in Dresden, the Glückauf-Apotheke in Freiberg and the easyApotheke in Chemnitz are taking part in the "Long Night of Vaccination" in Saxony.