Have you taken the flu vaccine? – FHI

Over 900,000 Norwegians have over 65 years. Today, less than half are vaccinated against influenza.

"With this text message from the Minister of Public Health, we hope that older people will take the vaccine to protect themselves from serious influenza viruses," says director Karolina Bragstad, Public Health Department.

SMS-

SMS messages are as follows:

«Hi! Have you taken the flu vaccine? It is recommended for everyone from 65 years of age. Contact your doctor and read more vvv.fhi.no. Welcoming State Council Ase Michaelsen»

For example, people who are listed as contact for elderly people may have received SMS even if they are not in the target group from 65 to 80 years. People who do not have access to digital communication with the authorities will not receive SMS.

For an individual it is obvious that someone will follow the advice of the minister and take the vaccine or not.

"For many healthy elderly people, it may not be necessary to take a vaccine, but the flu can impair health and depend on health care for a long time after the infection has passed. Therefore, it might be a good idea to take a vaccine in time before the start of the season, Bragstad Win.

Where can you get a vaccine?

People in risky groups for serious influenza illness have the right to a vaccine with a reduced price. In addition to the age of 65, this is a group of chronic diseases.

The responsibility of the municipality is to organize a vaccination offer for risk groups. In most municipalities, vaccination is organized by getting a doctor from your doctor. Some municipalities also have municipal vaccination days or other arrangements.

Make sure that the municipality where the cage was posted has published information on influenza vaccine on its websites.

It is not possible to reserve vaccination at the National Institute of Public Health.

The flu vaccine is offered

The influenza vaccine will usually provide 6 out of 10 vaccinated total influenza vaccines. Choosing good protection will vary according to age, good health and what kind of influenza virus is spreading in the population.

If you get a flu, although you are vaccinated, it's likely that your symptoms will be milder and last longer than if you were not vaccinated. The vaccine reduces the risk of serious influenza, hospitalization and death.

"For a quarter of a century, hundreds of millions of people have been vaccinated against influenza, so we know the vaccine so badly and we know what it can do," Bragstad said.

It is very rare that the vaccine against seasonal influenza gives serious side effects. Most side effects are mild and transient, such as an island, redness or tenderness in mourning. Up to 1 in 10 can have a bleeding disorder 1-2 days after vaccination. This is not a flu, but the immune system responds to the vaccine. The vaccine does not contain enough to cause the infection.