Poland has recorded a near 28% increase in flu vaccinations compared to last year, surpassing 2.3 million doses administered, with around 35% delivered at pharmacy points. For the first time, reimbursement for RSV vaccines has been introduced for seniors, marking a significant step in bolstering respiratory protection.

Despite the vaccination success, experts caution that progress remains uneven. Systems streamlined through pharmacy-based vaccinations have driven marked uptake, while administrative hurdles continue to dampen results for pneumococcal jabs.

“This is compelling proof that the implemented simplifications simply work,” said Prof. Adam Antczak, pulmonologist and chair of the Scientific Council of the National Programme to Combat Infectious Diseases. “By streamlining procedures and enabling swift vaccinations in pharmacies, society has eagerly embraced the opportunity, effectively shielding itself against infections.”

Flu prophylaxis breakthrough

This season has seen around one million flu cases, a slight decline from 1.13 million in the same period last year. Nearly 22,000 patients required hospitalisation due to post-flu complications, with 1,061 fatalities.

“The 2.3 million people vaccinated against flu this season, with about 35% opting for pharmacy points, shows we have boosted access,” noted Chief Sanitary Inspector, Dr Paweł Grzesiowski. “Many who avoided POZ queues chose pharmacies instead. This is a key aspect of expanding availability.”

Despite this clear success and growing demand for vaccinations, healthcare experts stress it is still far from enough. Vaccination coverage stands at just 6% across the general population, and a mere 16% among those over 65, the highest-risk group. This falls well short of WHO recommendations for 75% coverage in vulnerable populations, meaning herd immunity remains elusive.

RSV infections

The 2025/2026 season has brought notable shifts in RSV infections. Analysis reveals the wave emerged about two weeks later than in previous years, peaking after surges in COVID-19 and flu cases. Persistent high case numbers indicate the season is ongoing, with a dynamic situation underscored by the simultaneous circulation of RSV-A and RSV-B subtypes.

This marks the first season with reimbursed RSV prophylaxis for older adults. It is available free of charge to those aged 65 and over, following health ministry guidelines introduced from 1 April 2025, while individuals aged 60-64 qualify for 50% reimbursement.

“Over 6% of seniors tapping into RSV reimbursement is a positive sign, but from a public health viewpoint, it’s still a drop in the ocean,” said Prof. Krzysztof Tomasiewicz, president of the board of the Polish Society of Epidemiologists and Infectious Diseases Physicians.

He warns that RSV and flu critically weaken the body, paving the way for severe bacterial infections, and stresses the need to educate patients that RSV vaccinations are a year-round necessity.

Untapped potential

Amid progress in flu and RSV vaccinations, pneumococcal vaccination remains a glaring shortfall. Over 200,000 adults received pneumococcal jabs in 2025, yet this remains inadequate, particularly among seniors.

The core barrier is the current reimbursement model, which covers only those aged 65 and older with additional risk factors. In practice, this excludes a large part of the population from free protection and involves a cumbersome qualification process that curtails access.

Mortality from invasive pneumococcal disease among seniors reaches 50%, and age-related immune decline leaves everyone over 65 vulnerable to severe invasive infections. “Conditioning reimbursement on extra medical criteria is, from a public health perspective, incomprehensible, unnecessary, and ineffective,” said Prof. Ernest Kuchar, infectious diseases specialist and head of paediatrics at Warsaw Medical University.

Specialists argue that simplifying rules based solely on age would dramatically boost protection for the most vulnerable.

Seniors lead the way

People over 65 remain Poland’s most active group in vaccinations, reflecting rising health awareness among this demographic. Yet seniors are also most exposed to severe infections and complications.

“Elderly patients often fail to regain full functional capacity after infection, leading to diminished quality of life, loss of independence, and reliance on long-term care,” said Prof. Tomasz Targowski, a national consultant in geriatrics. “Facing Poland’s ‘silver tsunami’, the absence of comprehensive, simple, and accessible vaccination prophylaxis could severely burden the healthcare system.”

Even with reimbursement available, uptake remains limited, underscoring ongoing challenges in health education and patient awareness.

[VA, BM]