It's now time to vaccinate against the flu

All people over 65, pregnant women and people with certain chronic diseases are invited to vaccinate against the flu. From 6 November, you can vaccinate at your health center. Protection against infections Västra Götaland ensures that as many people as possible who become seriously ill are vaccinated.

"The flu is generally harmless, but a person over 65, a chronic illness or a pregnant woman is more likely to become ill and suffer serious complications such as pneumonia or blood poisoning," said surgeon Gunilla Ockborn. assistant to infections.

You can catch the flu even after the vaccination, but the symptoms generally lessen and the risk of complications decreases.

"The vaccine is the best protection against the flu," said Gunilla Ockborn.

What can happen after vaccination is that the vaccination site is painful and swollen, and some have fever and body aches, but problems persist a few days later.

– The influenza vaccine is adapted every year due to the evolution of the virus. Even this season, we use Vaxigrip. Previously, the vaccine contained two strains of influenza A and one strain of influenza B. However, the vaccine has now been strengthened with another strain of influenza B virus, containing four strains of influenza virus. With the new, larger vaccine, there will probably be fewer people who have vaccinated than they are getting seriously ill, "said Gunilla Ockborn.

The recommended groups for vaccination are over 65 years old, are pregnant or have one of the following diseases: chronic lung disease, such as COPD and severe asthma, chronic heart disease, diabetes, severe immunodeficiency due to illness or drug therapy, chronic liver or kidney failure. Even people with other diseases resulting in impaired lung function or hostility, such as extreme obesity, neuromuscular disease or multifunctional impairment, are welcome to immunize. Vaccination costs $ 100 if one of them belongs to one of these groups.