Most people do not become seriously ill from the influenza and are not in need of vaccination. However, you are recommended to take the vaccine if any of the following are true:

• You are 65 years or older.
• You have an illness or something else which increases the risk of becoming seriously ill.
• You are living with a person who has severe impaired immune system.

What could make me more at risk of becoming seriously ill?

What presents as an increased risk of becoming seriously ill varies.
It´s good to get vaccinated if any of the following apply to you:

• You have a heart disease or lungs which are difficult or
  impossible to cure.
• You have diabetes.
• You have an illness or take medication which makes your body
  less able to cope against infections.
• You have hepatic impairment or renal failure so that
  your liver or kidneys are not functioning well.
• You have difficulty breathing, such as severe asthma, severe obesity or a neurological disorder or musculoskeletal.
• You have several different types of physical impairments.
• You have Down syndrome.  
• You are a healthy woman 12 weeks pregnant.

The recommendations apply to both you as an adult, but also for children older than six months.

Vaccine against COVID-19

Some also need to vaccinate themselves against COVID-19.
It´s good to get vaccinated if any of the following apply to you:

• You who are turning 75 this year or are older.
• You can become seriously ill with COVID-19.

You do not need to vaccinate yourself because you are pregnant. However, if you are pregnant and have an increased risk of becoming seriously ill, it is recommended that you get vaccinated.

If you are unsure whether you should also get vaccinated against COVID-19, you can ask when you are getting the flu vaccine.

Pneumococcal vaccine

Some people also need to be vaccinated against pneumococcus.  Pneumococcus is a type of bacteria which can make you very ill with pneumonia.

It is a good idea to vaccinate if any of the following apply to you:

• You are turning 65 or are older.
• You can become seriously ill from pneumococcus.

If you are unsure whether you should also get vaccinated against pneumococcus, you can ask when you are getting the flu vaccine.

You get your vaccination at your health centre. At some health centres, you can make an appointment.

Some health centres have drop-in times.

Visit the health centre's page at 1177.se.

There you can get information on how to do it.
If you live in Skellefteå, you can also get vaccinated at Vaccinationscentrum Skellefteå.

If you are elderly and live in a nursing home with around the clock staffing, you can get vaccinated there. The Swedish name for this type of accommodation is särskilt boende för äldre.

You do not need to get vaccinated if: you are under the age of 65, and are not one recommended vaccination. Most people with good health conditions who catch the flu recover after about a week.

You can reduce the risk of becoming infected by: washing your hands frequently and thoroughly.

Also, you should avoid being near people who have the flu.

It is important that you understand what the healthcare staff is telling you. Ask questions if you don't understand.

You can get help from an interpreter if you don't speak Swedish.

Tell them that you need an interpreter who knows your language when you book your visit.

You can also get help with interpretation if you have a physical impairment.