Socioeconomic gaps exist in Covid-19 vaccination among older Swedes

Socioeconomic gaps exist in Covid-19 vaccination among older Swedes

Sweden's Spring Covid-19 vaccination program is in its final stages in several parts of the country. The program included free booster doses for those at increased risk of serious illness, including the oldest members of society.

In parallel, research is presented on the factors that influenced COVID-19 vaccination uptake among older people both during and after the pandemic up to the beginning of 2024. The study, published in the journal Public Health, includes more than two million people aged 65.

Geography and socioeconomics

The results confirm the emergence of certain regional differences in vaccination uptake among older people in Sweden. When the vaccines were rolled out in December 2020, 95 percent of older people were vaccinated, with no significant differences in uptake between regions in Sweden. However, this has gradually changed.

The study times for boosters and seasonal doses show a decreasing proportion of older people who continue to be vaccinated, particularly in Skåne, Stockholm and Västra Götaland counties and among those aged 65-80. The lowest numbers in the study, less than 60 percent vaccinated, were 65-80 year olds in the three metros for full vaccination with a sixth dose.

In addition to regional differences, factors other than geographic factors were also observed to have a greater influence. The proportion of people vaccinated was significantly lower among men, people born outside Sweden and people with low incomes and low levels of education. This is consistent with previous studies, indicating that the disparities persist despite the measures taken.

The differences must be reduced

A possible explanation for the regional differences is seen as deficiencies in national coordination and priorities. The researchers from the University of Gothenburg, Karolinska Institutet and the Swedish Public Health Agency believe the results highlight the importance of using targeted interventions to minimize regional variations.

Both regional and socioeconomic inequalities are described as a threat to vaccination programs. The first author of the study is Yiyi Xu, Associate Professor of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at Sahlgrlenska Academy, University of Gothenburg:

"Lower vaccination uptake increases vulnerability to severe Covid-19 and post-Covid, particularly among older people. National coordination remains key to ensuring consistent vaccination coverage and the focus should be on socio-economically disadvantaged groups who consistently have lower uptake rates," she says.

Linking COVID-19 vaccinations to routine health measures such as influenza vaccinations could increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake rates, reduce the barriers that appear to exist, and reduce public health costs. “

Yiyi Xu, Associate Professor of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg,

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