The Government and the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SKR) have agreed on a state-funded vaccine program to protect more elderly people against serious illness.
Pneumococcal bacteria can cause severe infections such as pneumonia and sepsis.
Since 2022, 75-year-olds have been offered free vaccines, but now the Public Health Agency is lowering the age limit to 65. The new agreement ensures that even those who have already turned 65 are covered by the program.
"This is an important initiative to save lives and prevent serious illness," says Minister of Social Affairs Jakob Forssmed (KD) in a press release.
The initiative, expected to last until August 2029, is also expected to ease the burden on healthcare and reduce antibiotic use.
