COVID-19, RSV and flu vaccines in Poland 2026/27: who pays
Short answer: In 2026/27 COVID-19 vaccination is free for recommended groups, and RSV vaccines are free for people aged 65+ with a prescription. Both are given at POZ clinics and NFZ-contracted pharmacies.
Autumn is the season for respiratory vaccines in Poland. For 2026/2027 the state provides free COVID-19 vaccination for recommended groups, and two RSV vaccines are on the reimbursement list, free for people aged 65 and over. This guide pulls together what the Ministry of Health, the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate and the National Institute of Public Health (PZH) say about flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccination for adults. Status as of 15 October 2026.
COVID-19: free for recommended groups
A communication of the Minister of Health of 7 September 2026 says that free, recommended COVID-19 vaccination will be available in the 2026/2027 season. The Minister of Health buys the vaccines, and the cost of the service (qualification and administration) is paid from NFZ funds.
Vaccination is recommended above all for people at the highest risk of severe disease: people over 60, especially those aged 75 and over, and children, teenagers and adults with conditions such as diabetes, chronic lung, kidney or liver disease, cardiovascular disease, severe obesity (BMI of 40 or more), neurodevelopmental disorders, active cancer, or weakened immunity.
How it works, according to the communication:
- You do not need an e-referral. You book a visit at the dates offered by vaccination points.
- Any primary care clinic (POZ) can give it, and so can vaccination points in general pharmacies that have an NFZ contract.
- A COVID-19 vaccine can be given at the same time as a flu vaccine, which is described as commonly recommended and safe.
* Photos: "Moderna COVID-19 Vaccination" and "52nd MDG Pharmacy", Wikimedia Commons, public domain.
RSV: reimbursed vaccines
PZH's vaccination information service lists 8 vaccines on the reimbursement list, among them two RSV vaccines. The list was not changed by the Minister of Health's notice of 16 September 2026, which applies from 1 October 2026. For RSV:
- Abrysvo: for pregnant women, to protect infants (free, 100% reimbursement, prescription with code "C"); for people aged 65 and over (free, prescription with code "S"); for people aged 60 to 64 (50% reimbursement at the pharmacy, code "S").
- Arexvy: for people aged 65 and over (free, code "S"); for people aged 60 to 64 (50% reimbursement, code "S").
The Chief Sanitary Inspectorate reports that RSV vaccinations rose from 71,897 people in the 2024/2025 season to 624,255 in 2025/2026, which it links mainly to reimbursement for high-risk groups.
Flu: how it works in 2026/2027
According to PZH (4 September 2026), only inactivated injectable flu vaccines are available this season. They are available under reimbursement, and a prescription from a doctor, nurse, midwife or pharmacist is required in every case. Qualification and administration are free in primary care and in pharmacies that provide vaccinations. Some local governments run free programmes for seniors or children. Flu vaccination can be given throughout the autumn-winter season. Our separate guide covers the flu vaccine groups and costs.
Pharmacies and other vaccines
The Chief Sanitary Inspectorate says adults can be vaccinated in pharmacies that have an NFZ contract, and only adults. A pharmacist does a qualifying check and vaccinates in a prepared room. The list of pharmacies is on pacjent.gov.pl. It also lists pneumococcal and whooping cough vaccines among those recommended before the season for seniors, and notes that some are free or partly reimbursed.
What to do
1. Check which group you fall into (age, pregnancy, chronic illness). 2. Ask your POZ clinic or a vaccinating pharmacy for a date. For reimbursed vaccines, ask for the prescription with the right code. 3. Bring your PESEL or ID. If you are insured through NFZ, the sources above treat the services as NFZ-funded.
This guide is general information and not medical advice. Ask your doctor which vaccines suit you.
Frequently asked questions
Is the COVID-19 vaccine free in Poland in 2026/2027?
According to the Minister of Health's communication of 7 September 2026, yes, for the recommended groups, with the service paid by NFZ. No e-referral is needed.
Who gets the RSV vaccine free?
People aged 65 and over, and pregnant women for infant protection, with a prescription. People aged 60 to 64 get 50% reimbursement, according to PZH.
Where can I get vaccinated?
At a POZ clinic or an NFZ-contracted pharmacy. Pharmacies vaccinate only adults.
Can I have COVID-19 and flu vaccines together?
Yes. The Ministry of Health says giving them at the same time is commonly recommended and safe.
