German flu vaccination willingness and timing, Digi Mart USA News: The willingness of Germans to get vaccinated against influenza continues to grow, according to a recent survey by Pharma Deutschland. The question many people are asking is when the best time for the shot is, and who needs it most.
Germans are largely positive about vaccines, with 76.8 percent of respondents convinced of their benefit. Willingness to get a flu shot has risen steadily over three years.
While 45.5 percent planned a vaccination for the 2024 autumn and winter season, 48 percent plan to do so in 2026. This is well above the figure for Covid-19, where only 22.8 percent want to be vaccinated this season.
The results come from a representative Civey survey commissioned by Pharma Deutschland with 2,500 respondents. There are also differences between the sexes: 39.5 percent of men said they had flu vaccine protection, compared with only 31 percent of women.
Those who want to protect themselves against flu should not delay vaccination for too long. Autumn is generally the appropriate time.
According to the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) and the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the recommended window runs from October to mid-December. It is important that the immune system has enough time to build protection before the flu wave peaks.
A later vaccination can still be useful.
People at increased risk of severe disease courses should pay particular attention to adequate flu protection. This especially includes people aged 60 and older and people with certain pre-existing conditions.
Which groups STIKO specifically recommends for flu vaccination can be clarified individually with a doctor.
Statutory health insurers generally cover the costs for the groups recommended by STIKO. For healthy adults under 60, reimbursement depends on the individual health insurance provider.
Some insurers voluntarily cover the vaccination for other insured persons as well.
The survey also shows a development regarding vaccination offers in pharmacies: 76.5 percent of respondents now know that flu shots can be offered there, compared with only about 52 percent in both 2024 and 2025. Nearly every second person (48.8 percent) can also imagine getting vaccinated at a pharmacy.
Pharmacies could therefore play an important role in making access to flu vaccination easier in the future. According to Pharma Deutschland, better reminders for upcoming vaccinations, spontaneous appointment booking and additional vaccination offers at various locations could also help win over more people for flu protection.
