This Year’s Influenza Vaccine – 2023

This year’s influenza vaccine will soon be available at Aker Care. Please see table below for details per location/company:

The influenza vaccine should preferably be taken during October/November. Full protection is achieved after one to two weeks. The risk groups for influenza, Covid-19 and other respiratory viruses partially overlap. The influenza vaccine is only effective against infection caused by certain types of influenza virus, and will not protect against covid-19. Vaccination is nevertheless important to avoid serious influenza illness and reduce the risk of double infection with influenza and covid-19 or other respiratory infections.

Risk groups who are recommended to get vaccinated:

• People 65 years or older
• People with chronic lung diseases (including asthma), heart/vascular diseases, diabetes mellitus (both type 1 and type 2), kidney failure, liver failure, chronic neurological disease or injury, or other serious and/or chronic disease where influenza poses a serious health risk.
• People with a weakened immune system as a result of illness or treatment of illness (e.g. organ transplant recipients, cancer, HIV, rheumatoid arthritis and other illnesses).
• People with severe obesity (BMI> 40).
• Pregnant after week 12 (2nd and 3rd trimester). Pregnant women in the 1st trimester with other additional risks should also be offered the vaccine after consultation/approval from a doctor.

Please note that before you can get the vaccine you need to fill in a self-declaration form. Please fill in the form and bring with you. The English version is on page 2. The form will also be available in the clinic/ place of vaccination.

Note: The vaccine is free of charge for permanent employees, externals/hired-ins will be charged 425,-  NOK for the vaccine.

Brief facts about the influenza vaccine:
Influenza viruses are constantly changing. The effect of the vaccine decreases over time. The FHI therefore recommends that the vaccine is taken annually. The influenza vaccine has been used for many years and generally has few side effects. Like other vaccines, it can cause a slight feeling of illness and fever (rare), as well as tenderness where the vaccine has been inserted.