Vaccinations for covid-19 and seasonal influenza offered to risk groups began on October 15. The Public Health Agency notes that risk groups under 65 years old stand out – only five percent have vaccinated themselves.
I think it may be because people have somewhat forgotten how covid-19 and influenza can affect risk groups. It may also be that people do not identify themselves as a risk group now that we do not have the same media attention as during the pandemic, says Tina Crafoord.
Differences between regions
The number of vaccinated individuals among people 65 years and older varies between regions – between 36 and 51 percent. The Public Health Agency and regions are now meeting weekly to discuss how to reach risk groups.
There are different prerequisites, geographically for example. Then it's about how you organize yourself, says Crafoord and continues:
You share good examples of what works well and less well.
This winter, the Public Health Agency expects an increased spread of covid-19 and influenza. Since August, the spread of covid-19 has been at higher levels than before.
Covid-19 is still a disease that can surprise. It can strike very differently. If you are a risk group, my strong recommendation is to take the vaccine to protect yourself against serious illness and death.
Fewer vaccinated care recipients
Among people over 80 years old, 55 percent have taken their booster dose, while the figure is 37 percent among people between 65 and 79 years old. At the same time, the Public Health Agency points out another risk group, namely people with care services, such as home care, at home. There, fewer have vaccinated themselves compared to their peers, which concerns the Public Health Agency.
It's another thing we're trying to figure out and help regions do something about. It's a lot about cooperation between region and municipality where there are different caregivers. There, they have organized themselves in different ways. In some places, it hasn't gone as fast as in other places that may have started with those groups.
Groups recommended for vaccination against both influenza and covid-19:
People who are 65 years or older.
Pregnant women after week 12 of pregnancy.
Adults between 18-64 years with, among other things, the following diseases, diagnoses, or conditions:
Heart and vascular disease, including stroke, chronic lung disease, diseases or conditions that lead to impaired lung function or impaired coughing ability (e.g. extreme obesity), liver failure, kidney failure, diabetes type 1 and 2, and conditions that involve severely impaired immune function due to disease or treatment, including Down syndrome.
For children in risk groups, special recommendations apply.
Source: The Public Health Agency
