Västra Götaland makes pneumococcal vaccine free from age 65
Västra Götaland has made pneumococcal vaccination free for everyone aged 65 or older, lowering its previous threshold from 75. The expanded offer began on 1 September.
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Residents can book through health centres and contracted vaccinators. The regional booking service listed 94 locations on Tuesday. Many showed more than 100 available appointments, while some offered drop-in sessions.
Pneumococcal bacteria can cause pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis. Sweden’s 1177 health service says vaccination lowers the risk of serious infection. People who have had a severe reaction to an earlier vaccine should speak with a doctor.
The rollout follows a state-funded agreement with Sweden’s regions to extend free coverage to older people who have not been vaccinated under current recommendations. The national catch-up programme is intended to offer the vaccine to that group by August 2029.
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