Pharmacists are allowed to administer flu vaccines for another year after the Health Committee of the Chamber of Representatives of Belgium unanimously approved a bill on Tuesday.
Despite protests from medical associations, pharmacists have been authorised to give flu vaccines to their patients since 2023.
This measure aimed to counteract the declining vaccination rates. The programme was set to expire at the end of this year, but, on the proposal of MP Jan Bertels (Vooruit), it will be extended for another year.
"It is in the interest of our public health, especially as the flu season approaches," emphasised Bertels.
In Belgium, nearly 290,000 flu vaccines were administered in pharmacies between autumn 2023 and early 2024.
