Structured vaccination consultation proposed

A structured vaccination consultation, lasting about fifteen minutes, was introduced as part of the PharmaVaxAuRA experiment. This initiative, conducted between 2024 and the end of 2025, was led by the regional union of healthcare professionals (URPS) pharmacists from Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, with support from MesVaccins.net and the Clermont Recherche Management (Clerma) research laboratory.

Three-step process for vaccination

The experiment involved three main steps: verifying and completing the vaccination record using a digital notebook, conducting a motivational interview lasting about 15 minutes, and prescribing and administering the vaccine immediately or scheduling it for later. According to Daniel-Jean Rigaud, an elected official and vaccination reference at the URPS pharmacists AuRA, the results were clear, with nearly 9 out of 10 participants accepting vaccination after the interview.

Most participants needed catch-up vaccinations

The experiment showed that nearly 8 out of 10 participants had already been vaccinated but had one or more overdue booster shots. The others had not received any recommended vaccinations. The interviews focused mainly on identifying missed vaccinations and organizing catch-ups, with the most common being boosters against diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, and pertussis (39%).

Digital records improve vaccination tracking

Nearly a quarter of participants reconstructed their vaccination history from memory, highlighting the importance of the digital vaccination notebook for traceability and long-term follow-up. This tool helps ensure accurate records and supports future vaccination planning.

Pharmacies become major vaccination centers

Vaccination has become the most popular new mission for pharmacies in France. Up to May 2026, nearly 8.1 million influenza vaccine injections were carried out in pharmacies, a 1.5 million increase compared to the previous period. The vaccine against Covid-19 generated 3.5 million injections in pharmacies during the same time.

Vaccine sales show mixed trends

Between May 2025 and 2026, 7.6 million vaccine booster shots were administered, 3.3 million more than the previous period. Vaccine sales by value increased by 8.4% during the first eight months of 2026, with shingles vaccines contributing nearly two-thirds of the growth. However, there was an 11% decline in vaccine sales by value between May and the end of August 2026, except for HPV and rotavirus vaccines.

Vaccination interview recognized as clinical activity

The experiment confirmed that a vaccination interview is a clinical activity in its own right, paid 25 euros and lasting an average of 13 minutes. Additional time was needed for prescription and vaccination. The internal organization of the pharmacy is crucial, with scheduled time slots and tasks divided between pharmacists and preparers.

Pharmacies adapt to increased demand

Some pharmacies now carry out more than a thousand vaccinations per year and have set up dedicated spaces for these activities. The URPS aims to have the vaccination interview recognized nationally and integrated into common law, according to Olivier Rozaire, president of the URPS pharmacists AuRA.

Trust and convenience drive vaccination decisions

Nearly half of the participants cited trust in healthcare professionals as their main motivation for vaccination, followed by ease of access to the pharmacy and personal health concerns. Ninety-eight percent of participants found the interview useful or very useful and believed they had better understood the vaccination recommendations after the exchange.

Traveler vaccination initiative launched

Discussions are ongoing between the Health Insurance, ministerial directions, and unions regarding the vaccination of travelers. The Wellpharma group has launched an experiment involving nearly 40 pharmacies to assess and administer traveler vaccines, including a pharmaceutical interview focused on the travel plan and vaccination (excluding yellow fever), accompanied by the prescription of preventive treatments if needed.

New law allows healthcare providers to buy vaccines

A provision of the 2026 Social Security Financing Law allows doctors, midwives, nurses, and health centers to buy vaccines from pharmacies to constitute their own stocks, initially concerning seasonal flu and Covid-19 vaccines. The implementation modalities received a favorable opinion from the High Authority for Health in early September.

Pharmacists raise concerns about economic impact

Pharmacists' unions argue that the measure could disrupt the economic model, as doses ordered for the 2026-2027 campaign should remain primarily for the patients of the pharmacies. The new holders of vaccines must comply with the same requirements as pharmacies, including temperature monitoring, traceability, and procedures in case of cold chain break.