Thomas Wahlberg, infection prevention doctor, Infection Prevention Västra Götaland. Photo: José Lagunas Vargas.
On November 4, this year’s flu vaccinations begin in Västra Götaland. Vaccination is free of charge for people aged 65 and over, pregnant women and people with illnesses that mean an increased risk of becoming seriously ill with influenza.
– We have started to see cases of influenza in Västra Götaland in recent weeks. Vaccinate yourself if you belong to a risk group, then you reduce the risk of getting seriously ill, says Thomas Wahlberg, infection control doctor at Smittskydd Västra Götaland.
For most people, the flu is a transient illness with fever and body aches. But for people aged 65 and older or in a risk group, the flu can mean serious complications.
– Vaccination is the best protection against influenza and people in risk groups need to get vaccinated before every season, says Thomas Wahlberg, infectious disease doctor.
Plenty of free vaccination times
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For three weeks now, the Västra Götaland region has offered co-vaccination against covid-19 and influenza for people aged 75 or older and risk groups. In parallel with this, the vaccination period now starts for those who are only recommended to vaccinate against influenza.
– There are plenty of times in Västra Götaland both for co-vaccination covid-19 and flu and for those who are only recommended flu vaccination, says Anna Hedman, vaccination coordinator.
The vaccination is most easily booked via the Västra Götaland region’s booking page.
Groups recommended flu vaccination:
Risk groups recommended annual vaccination against seasonal flu:
- All persons aged 65 and over (turning 65 in the current year)
- All children and adults with the following diseases, diagnoses or conditions:
- Cardiovascular disease including stroke (high blood pressure as the only diagnosis is not included)
- Chronic lung disease such as COPD or severe, unstable asthma
- Diabetes mellitus type 1 and 2
- Impaired immune system due to organ transplantation, blood cancer diseases or other immunosuppressive disease/condition, for example Down’s syndrome, or treatment.
- Diseases or conditions that lead to impaired lung function or impaired cough force and secretion stagnation, for example obesity with a BMI of 40 or higher, neuromuscular diseases or a disability.
- Pregnancy (after week 12 of pregnancy). For pregnant women who have an additional risk factor, vaccination can also take place before the 13th week of pregnancy.
- Other illness or condition with a reduced general condition, where an influenza illness risks a serious course of care. Examples of such diseases or conditions can be dementia, mental illness or harmful alcohol or drug use, which has caused impaired physical health.
Other groups for which annual vaccination against seasonal influenza is recommended are:
- Household contacts, both children and adults, to people with severely weakened immune systems. These people must pay for their vaccination themselves.
Personnel in health and care who work close to patients and care recipients with an increased risk of serious influenza, for example in special housing for the elderly (SÄBO) and in home care.
It varies between workplaces as to whether the employer offers and pays for the vaccination.
Text: Johanna Bernhardsson
E-mail: vgrfokus@vgregion.se
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The vaccination is most easily booked via:
Västra Götaland region’s booking page.
Vaccinations and risk groups
For more information about vaccinations, risk groups and covid-19 and influenza, visit 1177.se
