Seasonal flu is here but 35 percent of people over 65 have not yet been vaccinated.
The Public Health Authority now urges everyone in a risk group to get vaccinated.
– We know that it protects very well against becoming seriously ill and, in the worst case, dying from this infection, says state epidemiologist Magnus Gisslén.
The seasonal flu in Sweden is spreading. Between weeks 50 and 52, the number of confirmed cases increased by approximately 40 percent. Despite the increase, the spread is currently still at a relatively low level.
According to the Public Health Agency, the number of cases will likely continue to increase in the coming weeks.
– We can probably expect a peak at the end of January or in February, says Magnus Gisslén, state epidemiologist and professor of infectious diseases at Sahlgrenska Academy.
Urges risk groups to get vaccinated
To avoid severe illness, or in the worst case death, from seasonal flu, Magnus Gisslén urges people in risk groups to get vaccinated.
This means people over 65 or those who for other reasons belong to a risk group. From an international perspective, vaccination coverage in Sweden is relatively good. Gisslén says that approximately 65 percent of those over the age of 65 have currently been vaccinated.
Despite that, the Public Health Agency wants to see an increase.
– We would like that number to be higher. 35 percent have not been vaccinated in that group and we know that it protects very well against getting seriously ill and, in the worst case, dying from this infection. So it is a strong recommendation to vaccinate in this group, he concludes.