Sweden Faces Challenges Meeting WHO Target for Influenza Vaccination in 2025
Sweden's influenza vaccination coverage in 2025 remains below WHO's 75% target, with significant regional disparities and calls to improve vaccination rates among at-risk groups.
- • Sweden reported 24,205 influenza cases and 921 deaths last year, mostly among elderly.
- • Vaccination coverage for 65+ was 68%, below WHO's 75% goal for risk groups.
- • Regional vaccination rates vary; Värmland met target, Norrbotten was lowest.
- • Vaccination season starts October 14, focus on increasing rates in young risk groups.
- • Combined COVID-19 and flu vaccinations have improved uptake.
- • Swedish Public Health Agency strongly recommends vaccination for risk groups.
Key details
Sweden's seasonal influenza vaccination campaign for 2025 highlights ongoing challenges in reaching the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended 75% vaccination coverage target among risk groups. Despite performing well globally, Sweden reported 24,205 confirmed influenza cases last year, with 921 deaths, 91% of which were among those aged 65 and older, according to Folkhälsomyndigheten data. Vaccination coverage among people 65 and older was 68%, below the WHO goal. Tina Crafoord from Vaccin Direkt noted gradual increases in vaccination rates, helped by combined COVID-19 and flu vaccination availability, but regional disparities remain significant. For example, Värmland exceeded the target with a 76% rate, while Norrbotten lagged at 61%, attributed to differing administrative approaches and resource allocation. The vaccination season starts on October 14, 2025, with an emphasis on increasing coverage in younger risk groups, especially those with chronic conditions like diabetes, where the current vaccination rate is only about 11%. Folkhälsomyndigheten continues to strongly recommend vaccination for all risk groups to mitigate severe outcomes linked to influenza and its complications.