Umeå University study finds low vaccination rates in high-risk groups

A study from Umeå University has revealed that many individuals in medical risk groups are declining free vaccinations for COVID-19 and influenza. Research conducted on 600 adult patients at Norrland University Hospital showed vaccination rates of 52 percent for influenza and 54 percent for COVID-19, which is lower than the average in the Västerbotten region.

Researchers found that socioeconomic factors, such as an area's education level, economic status, or geographic location, had little impact on whether a person chose to vaccinate. Instead, lower uptake was specifically identified among younger people within risk groups, men, smokers, and individuals requiring home care services due to reduced independence.

One significant finding was that individuals with multiple chronic illnesses did not vaccinate at higher rates than those with only a single risk factor. Lead researcher Urban Johansson Kostenniemi noted that this suggests a lack of awareness regarding how cumulative risks increase with multiple conditions. The researchers suggest that public health efforts should be more targeted, providing clearer information on the risks of multisystem disease and improving the practical delivery of multiple vaccines.