Advertisement

Health For Members

How to get vaccinated against the flu in Sweden

Emma Löfgren
Emma Löfgren - [email protected]
How to get vaccinated against the flu in Sweden
Here's a guide to how to get the influenza vaccine in Sweden. Photo: Gorm Kallestad/NTB scanpix/TT

Sweden's influenza vaccine programme is now under way. How much does the flu vaccine cost in Sweden, and how can you book your jab?

Advertisement

Can I get the flu vaccine for free in Sweden?

The flu vaccine is recommended and offered for free in Sweden to people who belong to one of the following risk groups: If you’re aged 65 or older, if you’re pregnant (usually after week 16 of your pregnancy), if you have a heart condition, a lung condition (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or severe asthma), diabetes, a severely weakened immune system due to illness or treatment, chronic liver or kidney failure, a neuromuscular disease that affects your breathing or multiple disabilities, or if you are severely obese.

Sometimes a doctor’s assessment may be required. If you live together with someone with a severely weakened immune system you are also advised to get vaccinated (it varies across regions whether you are offered the flu vaccine for free or have to pay if you belong to this group), as are children who have certain serious health conditions and who are older than six months.

If you do not belong to one of the above groups, your risk of getting seriously ill from the flu is seen as considerably lower and you can’t get the vaccine for free in Sweden. You can however still get vaccinated if you pay for it yourself (more information about this further down).

Advertisement

How do I get vaccinated against the flu in Sweden?

The procedure is different depending on which of Sweden’s 21 regions you live in. You can look it up by going to the page vaccination mot influensa (“vaccination against influenza”) on the 1177.se healthcare website, then at the top of the page click välj region (“choose region”) and pick your region. Then scroll down to your regional information.

LEARNING SWEDISH:

How to book your flu shot may vary across regions (in some regions they send out a text message reminder if you've signed up for one or a letter with more information), so it is best to keep up to date by checking your regional 1177 page, or contacting your health centre for more information. 

Sweden's 2023/24 vaccination campaign got under way on November 7th.

Advertisement

If you do not belong to a risk group, you can also book your influenza vaccine via a private healthcare provider – if you google influensavaccin and your region you will find several options. Many regions and clinics offer drop-in times or mobile vaccination units. You may have to wait a few weeks until everyone in risk group has had the chance to get vaccinated – ask your healthcare provider.

If you haven't yet been vaccinated against Covid-19, or if you're planning on getting a booster shot soon, you can get both vaccines at the same time. The Covid-19 vaccine is free for everyone who lives in Sweden.

How much does the flu vaccine cost in Sweden?

If you belong to a risk group, the flu vaccine is free in all Swedish regions.

If you do not belong to a risk group, it usually costs around 200-400 kronor depending on where in Sweden you live.

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

Anonymous 2021/12/13 11:56
Wow, I'm actually surprised at this. I live in USA (Chicago) and in good health so I don't fall into any of the special categories. I can go to any pharmacy or county run clinic I want and get a free flu shot (been doing so for years as my wife is a teacher and brings home lots of colds and other illnesses...) Ironically, if I get a flu shot from my doctor, its costs me $30 and the company more (the boss always reminds us not to get flu shots from a doctor because they bill through insurance and it costs him about $100 vs free at a pharmacy or clinic for the same shot). Anyway, never really thought anything in USA medicine would be better, easier or cheaper than Sweden.

See Also