– Failure to take a refresher dose can dramatically increase the risk of hospitalization and fatal outcome, says infectious disease professor Jörn Klein at the University of Southeast Norway. He is concerned about the low vaccination rate among the elderly. Until 3 November, only 34 per cent of those in the age group over 65 have chosen to take the corona vaccine. It shows figures from the national vaccination register. That is 4 percent more than at the same time last year, but still much lower than what the health authorities had hoped for. – The low vaccination coverage is worrying, especially considering that covid-19 can still lead to serious illness, especially for risk groups, says Klein. The infectious disease professor has previously advocated that young and healthy people should also consider taking the vaccine. People over the age of 65 who do not take the vaccine expose themselves to great risk, says infection control professor Jörn Klein. Photo: University of South-Eastern Norway – Should take a booster dose every autumn The new updated corona vaccine became available in Norway at the beginning of October. Since then, the vaccination of the elderly and other risk groups has been in full swing. But the proportion who allow themselves to be vaccinated against the coronavirus has been low in recent years. Acting area director Preben Aavitsland at the Institute of Public Health. Photo: Tor Erik Schrøder The Institute of Public Health recently sent out an SMS to one million Norwegians over the age of 65. The text message contained a clear call to take both the corona and flu vaccine to avoid serious illness. Currently, the statistics indicate that the call has had a limited effect. In recent weeks, the number of vaccinated people has been falling. Acting area director Preben Aavitsland in FHI believes it has to do with the fact that the threat from the coronavirus is less now. – They may think that refreshing the protection is unnecessary. It is not like that. Although most people are now well protected against serious illness, the elderly and some other groups should still take a refresher dose every autumn, says Aavitsland. – More dangerous than the flu At the same time, far more people choose to vaccinate against the flu. So far this autumn, more than half of those over the age of 65 have agreed to take protection against the flu. – Does FHI think that skepticism towards the corona vaccine plays an important role? – We think it plays little role. It may be easier to get a flu vaccination, especially at your GP. For practical reasons, not all GPs can offer corona vaccinations, says Aavitsland. He believes many have not yet understood that corona vaccination must be repeated annually. – They may think that they are now well protected after five or six doses, but unfortunately protection against infection and serious illness decreases over time, says Aavitsland. Infection control professor Klein believes covid-19 can be a more dangerous disease than the flu. – Covid-19 has been shown to have a higher risk of complications, prolonged symptoms, and a significantly higher mortality rate, especially among the elderly and people with underlying health problems. It is important to vaccinate against both diseases, says Klein. Published 13.11.2024, at 06.07
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– Exposure to significant risk, says infection control professor – news Buskerud – Local news, TV and radio
