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People with long-term health conditions are offered vaccinations against influenza and covid-19

If you suffer from a long-term health condition such as chronic lung disease, diabetes or chronic liver and kidney failure, the Danish Health Authority recommends that you should be vaccinated against influenza and covid-19, regardless of how old you are.

A high age is by far the strongest risk factor for becoming severely ill from covid-19 and influenza. However, some people under 65 years of age who suffer from certain diseases and health conditions may also be at higher risk of becoming severely ill from covid-19 and influenza.

Long-term health conditions can weaken the immune system, which means, among other things, that you may be at higher risk of becoming severely ill from covid-19 and influenza because your immune system does not function quite as it should. The body’s ability to fight infection is also affected, which means that if you are infected, you are at higher risk of complications, such as pneumonia or a prolonged and severe course of illness.

Many people who live with a long-term health condition know that they are at higher risk of becoming severely ill from covid-19 or influenza and that it is recommended that they should be vaccinated. If you are in doubt, the below table can help you.

The Danish Health Authority recommends that the following people under 65 years of age should be offered vaccination against influenza and covid-19:

People with long-term health conditions, including:

  • People suffering from chronic lung disease
    • People suffering from cardiovascular/heart disease (except isolated and well-regulated high blood pressure)
    • People suffering from diabetes (type 1 or 2)
    • People with congenital or acquired immunodeficiency, for example people with immunoglobulin defects, people who have received organ or stem cell transplants, people who are undergoing chemotherapy for cancer, or people who are receiving other immunosuppressive treatments
    • People with impaired respiration due to reduced muscular strength
    • People suffering from chronic liver or kidney disease
    • People for whom influenza or covid-19 poses a serious threat to their health due to other chronic diseases, for example people suffering from severe rheumatological disease, severe neurological disease, short bowel syndrome
  • People who are obese (BMI>35)
  • People for whom influenza or covid-19 poses a serious threat to their health due to other serious diseases or health conditions, for example people with severe mental disorders, Down’s syndrome or significant substance abuse problems
  • Pregnant women in the second or third trimester
  • People living in households with other people with congenital or acquired immunodeficiency or children who are at higher risk of becoming severely ill from influenza or covid-19

People receiving early retirement pension are also offered free vaccination against influenza.

 

Questions and answers about vaccinations

1. How do I book a vaccination appointment?

If you are under 65 years of age and it is recommended that you should be vaccinated because you are at higher risk of becoming severely ill, for example because of certain chronic diseases, you will not receive an official invitation from the Danish Health Authority. However, as part of a study, invitations are being sent out to some younger people with long-term health conditions.

From 20 September, you can go directly to www.vacciner.dk, where you can book an appointment based on a solemn declaration for self-referral.

If you need help to book an appointment for your vaccination, you can contact your region.

  • Capital Region of Denmark: Phone +45 38 64 99 00
  • Region Zealand: Phone +45 70 20 42 33
  • Region of Southern Denmark: Phone +45 99 44 07 17 (press 1)
  • Central Denmark Region: Phone +45 70 23 24 15
  • North Denmark Region: Phone +45 97 64 84 63

2. When can I be vaccinated?

You can be vaccinated from 1 October 2023 until 15 January 2024.

3. Can I have both vaccinations at the same time?

You can safely be vaccinated against influenza and covid-19 at the same time. However, the vaccines cannot be mixed in the same syringe, so you will need two injections.

4. Are there any side effects from the vaccines?

All vaccines can cause side effects, including the influenza and covid-19 vaccines.

Some people have a fever or a headache or feel a little sore at the injection site. These are common side effects that go away after a while.

Severe allergic reactions are very rare.

If you have previously suffered a severe allergic reaction after being vaccinated or after being injected with any other medicinal product, you should talk to a doctor before being vaccinated.

Obesity (BMI >35)

Obesity is defined as having a BMI of 35 or more.

BMI stands for Body Mass Index. BMI is calculated as weight in kilogrammes / (height x height in metres).

Examples:

  • If you weigh 80 kg and are 1.51 m tall, your BMI is 35.09 (80 / (1.51 x 1.51))
  • If you weigh 90 kg and are 1.60 m tall, your BMI is 35.16 (90 / (1.60 x 1.60))
  • If you weigh 100 kg and are 1.69 m tall, your BMI is 35.01 (100 / (1.69 x 1.69))
  • If you weigh 110 kg and are 1.77 m tall, your BMI is 35.11 (110 / (1.77 x 1.77))
  • If you weigh 120 kg and are 1.85 m tall, your BMI is 35.06 (120 / (1.85 x 1.85))
  • If you weigh 130 kg and are 1.92 m tall, your BMI is 35.26 (130 / (1.92 x 1.92))
  • If you weigh 140 kg and are 2 m tall, your BMI is 35 (140 / (2 x 2))
Updated 20 OKT 2023