There is such a great demand for influenza vaccinations that there is a risk of a shortage of vaccines.
Therefore, the Danish Health and Medicines Authority recommends that the vaccines be given to people in the risk group in the first instance.
These include people over the age of 65, people with certain chronic diseases and pregnant women. It writes the National Board of Health in a press release.
– This year we are experiencing extra great interest in being vaccinated against influenza. This is really good, because we want to prevent serious flu illness, says Marlene Øhrberg Krag, center manager at the National Board of Health.
– However, the great interest in vaccination also means that we are aware that the vaccines are used for those for whom the vaccines have been purchased, namely those who are at risk of serious illness or their health and care staff.
– Otherwise, we may end up in a situation where there are not enough vaccines for those for whom they are most important, she says in the press release.
The National Board of Health has previously announced that it is extra important to be vaccinated against influenza due to the corona outbreak.
This is because it is the same people who are at risk for both diseases.
If they get both diseases at the same time, they can have a significantly worse course of the disease.
Vaccines have been purchased so that 75 per cent of the people whom the National Board of Health allows for free vaccination can receive a vaccine. In the past, it has been 50 percent.
The Statens Serum Institut has investigated the possibility of purchasing more influenza vaccines. According to the Danish Health and Medicines Authority, this is unfortunately not possible at present.