image: Roni Rekomaa/Apteekkariliitto
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A growing number of pharmacies in Finland now offer vaccination services. According to a member survey by the Finnish Pharmacists’ Association, at least 74 pharmacies had launched vaccination services by March 2025.
The survey was conducted in late February and early March. Responses were received from 450 pharmacy owners, which covers over 70 percent of all pharmacy owners in the country.
Minna Vapa, project manager at the Finnish Pharmacists’ Association, said the actual number of vaccinating pharmacies is likely higher. She cited ongoing registrations to the Soteri system, which pharmacies must complete before beginning vaccination services.
“The number of pharmacies offering vaccinations is at least 74, but the real figure is larger,” Vapa said. “We expect the number to exceed 100 before summer.”
Vaccinations at pharmacies can be provided either directly by the pharmacy or through collaboration with an external partner. Some pharmacies carry out the process internally, while others work with private service providers or local healthcare operators.
Pharmacies require Soteri registration and a responsible physician to begin vaccinations. Records of administered vaccines are entered into the national Kanta system. Both pharmacists and pharmaceutical chemists have had vaccination rights in Finland since May 2024, following an amendment to the vaccination regulation.
The member survey showed that pharmacies are interested in offering vaccinations under the national vaccination programme, especially if the service is compensated by wellbeing services counties. Over 40 percent of respondents expressed willingness to participate on those terms.
Despite interest, financial constraints and shortages of trained pharmaceutical staff remain major barriers to expanding services.
Sini Terävä, director of public affairs at the Finnish Pharmacists’ Association, said pharmacy vaccinations could significantly increase national vaccine coverage. She pointed to data from Norway as an example of improved outcomes through expanded pharmacy access.
“Extending the role of pharmacies to include vaccines from the national programme, such as the seasonal influenza vaccine, would require decisions from the wellbeing services counties,” Terävä said.
She added that effective collaboration needs clear structural agreements and the removal of practical obstacles.
Vaccination services are only one way in which pharmacies could support wellbeing services. Terävä said pharmacies have untapped potential to contribute to elderly care and overall system efficiency.
“Medication issues cause one in four emergency care visits among elderly patients,” she said. “Pharmacies have the skills to review and update medication plans. By making better use of pharmacy services, wellbeing services would benefit multiple times over—elderly patients stay healthier, and the burden on healthcare systems decreases.”
Globally, nearly 60 countries have already implemented pharmacy vaccination models. In every case, authorities observed an increase in vaccine uptake.
Pharmacy vaccination services in Finland are still expanding, with weekly Soteri applications indicating continued interest. The Finnish Pharmacists’ Association sees these developments as an opportunity to integrate pharmacies more closely into the broader healthcare network.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
