Germany’s Long Night of Immunization on October 8, 2025: Pharmacies Offer Free COVID

The Long Night of Immunization is taking place across Germany tonight, October 8, 2025, as part of a nationwide campaign encouraging citizens to get vaccinated before the winter season. More than 370 pharmacies and medical practices are offering COVID-19 booster and flu shots between 4:00 p.m. and midnight, G.Business reports, citing a German news portal covering national and international news.

Pharmacies in Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt am Main, Munich, Cologne, Stuttgart, and Leipzig are seeing particularly high participation, with extended hours for working adults and families. The initiative, organized by Germany’s pharmacists’ chambers and supported by regional health authorities, aims to make vaccinations more accessible and convenient for those unable to visit doctors during regular hours.

The program seeks to increase vaccination rates and protect vulnerable groups, including seniors, people with chronic illnesses, and healthcare workers. Citizens can get vaccinated without prior appointments, simply by presenting their health insurance card and vaccination record at participating pharmacies.

The campaign is backed by the State Chambers of Pharmacists, the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV), and several regional health ministries. In metropolitan areas, additional vaccination centers have been opened, while rural pharmacies are extending their hours to ensure comprehensive coverage.

Vaccination sites are generally open until 10:00 p.m., and in major cities such as Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich, many remain open until midnight. All vaccinations are free of charge for those covered by statutory health insurance and follow the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO). Health experts describe the initiative as a model for modern preventive healthcare, bridging the gap between convenience and public responsibility.

What is being vaccinated today

– Influenza vaccine (2025/2026 season): recommended for individuals aged 60 and older or those with chronic conditions
– COVID-19 booster vaccine: recommended for people aged 60+, healthcare workers, and high-risk groups
– Additional vaccines: pneumococcal and tick-borne encephalitis (FSME) in selected practices

The STIKO recommends annual influenza vaccination and a COVID-19 booster at least twelve months after the last dose or infection. Both vaccines can be administered during the same appointment.

Important information for participants

Bring your health insurance card, vaccination certificate (digital or paper), and photo ID. Those with chronic conditions should bring a list of medications or a doctor’s note. Pharmacies typically do not require an appointment, while medical practices often request a brief telephone registration.

The vaccines are sourced exclusively from approved manufacturers and are regularly tested by the Paul Ehrlich Institute. For the 2025/2026 season, quadrivalent flu vaccines are in use, offering protection against current viral strains. The new COVID-19 vaccine, based on the JN.1 variant, was approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in August 2025.

Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach stated today in Berlin:

“This night is a strong signal for prevention and personal responsibility. When vaccination is easily accessible, barriers fall — and society becomes more resilient.”

The initiative is considered an example of modern preventive healthcare that reduces the burden on family doctors and reaches people who cannot attend daytime appointments. All vaccinations are digitally recorded and automatically transferred to the electronic patient record (ePA). Participants receive a digital certificate with a QR code, compatible with the CovPass and Corona-Warn apps.

According to the Robert Koch Institute, only 51% of Germans aged 60 and older received a flu vaccine last season, and fewer than 40% received a COVID-19 booster. With initiatives like tonight’s event, the federal government aims to significantly increase these figures.

Current information and citizen services

Up-to-date information on participating locations, opening hours, and available vaccines can be found at www.langenacht-des-impfens.de. The site includes an interactive map that allows users to search by postal code or city. Additionally, the nationwide hotline 116117 provides information on nearby vaccination points, available slots, and vaccines offered.

Those without internet access can call the hotline directly — it is available until midnight and can connect callers to participating medical practices. In larger cities such as Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich, local radio stations and city portals also provide live updates on open pharmacies.

Health authorities recommend checking online before visiting, as opening hours may vary regionally.

The Long Night of Vaccinations is expected to become an annual autumn event, coinciding with the start of flu season. The goal is to promote a regular vaccination rhythm and strengthen long-term public immunity, making preventive health care as routine as dental check-ups.

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