Free flu vaccine for people over 65 and at risk

Västra Götaland (VGR) previously did not offer a free influenza vaccine, unlike many other regions of Sweden. But now the same benefit is being offered to the elderly and at-risk groups as elsewhere in the country.

– It’s the area that finally decided it. The reason is that you want to reduce the incidence of high-risk groups, and the more access there is, the more people get vaccinated. There will be less risk of spread and disease, says Mats Dahl, director of primary care at Närhälsan in Kungälv, Ale, Stenungsund, Tjörn, Trollhättan, Uddevalla and Vänersborg.

Better protection

Närhälsan is offering a free vaccination to people over 65 or at risk from November 9, and this applies to Närhälsan Solgärde, Närhälsan Kongahälla and the Kungälv Emergency Center.

Autumn brings with it colds and flu. The virus is spread by coughing, sneezing, or close contact with an infected person. The flu is harmless to most people, with symptoms such as coughing, high fever, and headache, muscle and joint pain. But it can also lead to serious illness with life-threatening conditions such as pneumonia and septicemia.

By vaccinating yourself, you get better protection against influenza and reduce your risk of serious illness, says Monica Radeberg, chief medical officer at Närhälsan, in a press release.

can be combined

People are considered an at-risk group for diseases such as: chronic lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, liver or kidney failure, severely weakened immune system due to illness or medication, as well as other diseases that lead to poor lung function or poor coughing.

For the respective target group, it is also possible to book an appointment to receive a third dose of covid-19 vaccine at the same time. This flu vaccine, which the district offers free of charge, is the only one that works with the Covid vaccine. Otherwise it will take a week in between, says Mats Dahl.

It’s only those two vaccines that are recommended to be taken at the same time, not any other combinations, he says.

I started secretly

Vårdcentralen Kusten and Centrumpraktiken also offer free vaccinations in the same building starting on the same date. It is also possible to book an appointment to get the flu shot in combination with the covid-19 vaccine, both in Sahel and Centrumpraktiken. The practice center has a reception.

– We have already started now with influenza vaccination for everyone who books a dose of the Covid 3 vaccine and is interested in taking both vaccines at the same time, says Operations Director Ghada Saleh.