Andorra Launches Free Adult Vaccination Calendar Without Prescription

Andorra's College of Physicians and College of Nurses have welcomed a new government decree introducing a free adult vaccination calendar, set to launch on 1 March at primary care centres (CAPs) without the need for a doctor's prescription.

Albert Dorca, president of the College of Physicians, described the measure as "a good idea" that the organisation had long advocated. He noted it would prevent unnecessary visits to family doctors for vaccines with clear age-based recommendations, freeing up appointments for other patients and reducing avoidable costs. "If you include this in another visit and save unnecessary ones, we all benefit," Dorca said, adding that doctors would continue providing health education, explaining vaccine functions, indications, and addressing patient concerns.

The College of Nurses and Midwives (COIA) echoed this support in a statement, calling the initiative "good, necessary, and coherent" with a more preventive, accessible health model focused on citizens' real needs. They highlighted its potential to streamline care pathways, avoid redundant consultations, and ease system pressures by allowing direct access to suitable vaccines based on age or established clinical criteria.

COIA pointed out that the policy fulfils provisions in Law 39/2022 on regulated health professions. Article 8 grants nurses authority to indicate, use, and administer non-prescription medications and products, including calendar vaccines and health campaign doses, when authorised by the relevant ministry. The college stressed nurses' key role in patient information, education, and query resolution, emphasising that removing the prescription requirement improves resource allocation while upholding care quality and safety.

Both bodies affirmed that professional oversight remains unchanged, positioning the change as an efficiency gain for Andorra's health system.