Vaccination against influenza and covid-19 for the 2026 season gets under way at health centres across Östergötland on 2 November, Corren reports. The region is directing the campaign primarily at people aged 65 and over and at those who fall into a medical risk group.
Booking lines at the health centres opened on 19 October, giving residents roughly two weeks to arrange an appointment before the first doses are given.
Why it matters
The vaccination programme is the region's main defence against serious illness during the winter months, when influenza and covid-19 circulate most widely. According to Corren, the region's message is that the vaccine offers solid protection against severe disease and lowers the chance of complications and lingering problems that can follow an infection.
Britt Åkerlind, infection control physician in Region Östergötland, said in a comment carried by Corren that immunisation remains important, particularly for older people and those with weakened immune systems. She urged anyone offered a vaccine to book a time quickly so that protection is in place early in the season.
Letters sent to everyone aged 65 and over
Region Östergötland has written to all residents aged 65 and above with an offer of vaccination, sending the letters through the Kivra digital mailbox service or by ordinary post, according to Corren. The region has not introduced new eligibility criteria this year: the recommendations for influenza and covid-19 match those of last season. That means some people are advised to take both vaccines, while others are advised to take only the influenza vaccine.
One addition is new for this season. People aged 65 and over can also receive pneumococcal vaccination during the same visit to their health centre, Corren reports.
Delayed deliveries elsewhere in the country
The start of the Östergötland campaign comes amid reports from other parts of Sweden that this year's influenza vaccine has arrived late. Barometern-OT reported that the delay has led to risk groups being prioritised, while Sveriges Radio warned that the late delivery could produce a vaccine shortage this winter. Separate coverage from Laholmstidning.se noted that booking had opened for vaccinations in Laholm and Markaryd.
The material reviewed does not indicate whether the Östergötland schedule has been affected by those delays, and the region's stated start date remains 2 November.
What to watch: whether appointment capacity at Östergötland's health centres keeps pace with demand once vaccinations begin, and whether supply problems reported elsewhere in the country reach the region later in the season.
