Umeå University study finds low vaccination rates among Swedish risk groups

A study from Umeå University reveals that nearly half of high-risk individuals in northern Sweden are not utilizing free influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations. Among the 600 adult patients studied at Norrland University Hospital, the vaccination rate for influenza was 52 percent and 54.2 percent for COVID-19.

Researchers found that socioeconomic factors, such as geographic location, income, or education level, played a minimal role in vaccination decisions. Instead, the primary barriers identified were demographic and lifestyle-related. Specifically, younger patients, men, smokers, and individuals requiring home care services were less likely to be vaccinated.

Infectious disease specialist Urban Johansson Kostenniemi noted that the findings suggest a need for more targeted public health interventions aimed at these specific demographics rather than broad geographic or economic initiatives.