The flu season is here - time to vaccinate

Vaccination coverage, ie how many people have been vaccinated, has been relatively low in Sörmland compared to other regions in Sweden in recent years. Infection protection physician Helena Hervius Askling hopes that more people will choose to vaccinate.

- We want more people to vaccinate and hope that there will be a high pressure. We hope to be able to protect more people from severe flu disease, especially the risk groups of the elderly, pregnant and those with underlying illness, ”she says.

Last year, however, the number of people who vaccinated against influenza increased throughout Sweden.

- There can be several reasons for that, you can always hope that it was due to good information and availability. But perhaps it was a severe flu season the year before that affected, or the lack of vaccine may have led to greater demand. It is difficult to say what is what.

Last year's lack of influenza vaccine affected the entire country. According to Helena Hervius Askling, vaccine deliveries to Sörmland were delayed.

- We got what we had ordered but the delay caused long queues, especially in the beginning.

This year, delays have been raised for deliveries throughout Sweden and postponed the date when vaccinations start to be given by two weeks. Municipalities in the region have also begun to be encouraged to vaccinate people in elderly homes already.

Will the vaccine be enough this year?

- We have figured out what to do and there is a margin upwards. First and foremost, we look at how many elderly people there are in the municipalities, which change every year, and take that into account. But it is well developed and it should suffice.