Frankfurt – November 02, 2026 -- Germany's Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) urges certain groups to get their annual flu shot between October and mid-December, yet vaccination rates remain low among many of them.
Protection takes 10 to 14 days to build
A common cold, often called a "flu-like infection," has nothing to do with real influenza, which is caused by influenza viruses. The annual vaccination is the most important preventive measure. After the shot, the body needs about 10 to 14 days to build sufficient protection.
In recent years, Germany's flu wave has mostly started after the turn of the year. Getting vaccinated before then is best, but a shot in early January can still be worthwhile. According to the source, vaccination remains useful into spring.
STIKO recommends the shot for people 60 and older
STIKO advises everyone aged 60 and over to get vaccinated each autumn, with or without underlying conditions. The recommendation also covers:
- People from 6 months of age with a relevant chronic condition, such as asthma, COPD, heart-circulatory disease, liver or kidney disease, diabetes, obesity, chronic neurological disease or immune deficiency
- Residents of nursing and care homes
- People at higher exposure risk, such as medical staff or those working in places with heavy public traffic
- All pregnant women from the second trimester
Only 34% of people over 60 got vaccinated last season
In the 2024/2025 season, just 10% of children and adolescents with a relevant underlying condition received a flu shot. Among adults with such conditions, the figure was 12%. Of people aged 60 and over, 34% were vaccinated, far short of the 75% target set by the WHO and the EU.
Influenza can affect many organ systems. Older adults can suffer severe complications including pneumonia, heart attacks and stroke.
Pharmacies expect 218,000 flu shots this season
Pharmacies have become an established place to get vaccinated. For the 2025/2026 season, the Federal Union of German Pharmacists' Associations (ABDA) projects 218,000 flu vaccinations and well over 100,000 COVID-19 vaccinations in pharmacies. The number of pharmacies offering vaccinations rose to 1,682 in 2025.
An ABDA-commissioned forsa survey of 3,441 adults from March 2025 found that 46% could imagine getting vaccinated in a pharmacy in future. Among people under 30, the share was 59%.
Pharmacies with trained pharmacists can also expand their vaccination offering to all inactivated vaccines. People can get advice on their options from pharmacies, family doctors or certain specialist practices.