Sweden Struggles to Meet WHO's 75% Influenza Vaccination Target for At-Risk Groups
Sweden continues to miss the WHO's 75% influenza vaccination coverage target for at-risk populations, with regional disparities and low uptake among younger groups posing challenges as the vaccination season begins.
- • Sweden has not yet met the WHO target of 75% vaccination coverage for at-risk groups.
- • 68% of people over 65 were vaccinated last year, below the 75% goal.
- • Significant regional differences exist, with Värmland at 76% and Norrbotten at 61%.
- • Younger at-risk individuals have very low vaccination rates, around 11%.
- • The vaccination season starts October 14, with hopes to increase coverage among younger groups.
Key details
As the 2025 influenza vaccination season begins on October 14, Sweden continues to fall short of the World Health Organization's (WHO) goal of 75% vaccination coverage among at-risk groups. Despite generally good vaccination rates, Sweden has never reached the WHO target, according to Tina Crafoord, senior physician at the Public Health Agency of Sweden. Last year, approximately 68% of individuals aged 65 and older received the influenza vaccine. This group represents the majority of severe influenza cases, with 24,205 confirmed infections and 921 deaths last year—91% of which were among those 65 or older.
Vaccination coverage varies significantly across regions, with Värmland achieving 76%, surpassing the target, while Norrbotten lags at 61%. These disparities are attributed to differences in vaccine access and administration. Younger individuals within at-risk groups, however, have particularly low vaccination rates, estimated at only around 11%. Charlotta Zacharias from Vaccin Direkt expressed hope that the upcoming vaccination season will improve coverage among these younger vulnerable populations.
The increased willingness observed among older populations is attributed in part to the combined COVID-19 and influenza vaccination campaigns implemented in recent years. Compared to neighboring Nordic countries, Sweden’s rates are relatively strong, second only to Denmark. Authorities acknowledge the ongoing challenge and stress the importance of raising vaccination rates to better protect vulnerable groups and reduce influenza-related mortality moving forward.