No 39 - 2025

Autumn vaccination program against influenza and COVID-19, 2025

From October 1, 2025, vaccination against influenza and COVID-19 will be offered to people aged 65 years and older, as well as to people under 65 with certain chronic conditions. Pregnant women will continue to be offered vaccination against influenza, while this year there are new recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination (see below). Vaccination against both diseases can be administered at the same time.

Invitation for vaccination against influenza and COVID-19

People aged 65 years or older will receive an invitation via Digital Post or as a physical letter if exempt from Digital Post.

Appointments for vaccination can then be booked at the regional vaccination centers or with Danske Lægers Vaccinations Service via www.vacciner.dk. Assistance with booking can also be obtained via a regional hotline.

Other eligible groups for free vaccination can likewise book appointments at www.vacciner.dk by completing a declaration of truth.

Vaccination against Influenza

Target groups and period

Influenza vaccination begins on October 1, 2025, and this year it is offered free of charge to everyone in the following groups:

Citizens who turn 65 years old no later than December 20, 2025

In addition, the following people under 65 years are offered vaccination against both influenza and COVID-19:

• People with chronic diseases, including:
  o Chronic lung disease
  o Cardiovascular disease (except isolated, well-regulated hypertension)
  o Diabetes type 1 or 2
  o Congenital or acquired immunodeficiency, e.g., immunoglobulin deficiencies, organ or stem cell transplantation, cancer in chemotherapy, or other immunosuppressive treatment
  o Impaired respiration due to reduced muscle strength
  o Chronic liver or kidney disease
  o Other chronic diseases where influenza or COVID-19 poses a serious health risk, e.g., severe rheumatological disease, severe neurological disease, short bowel syndrome
• People with severe obesity (BMI > 35)
• People with other serious diseases or conditions that make influenza or COVID-19 a serious health risk, e.g., severe mental illness, Down syndrome, or severe substance abuse
• Pregnant women in the 2nd or 3rd trimester are offered influenza vaccination
• Household members of people with congenital or acquired immunodeficiency, or household members of children at increased risk of severe influenza or COVID-19

Disability pensioners are also offered free influenza vaccination.

The vaccination period runs until and including December 20, 2025.

Influenza vaccines in use this season

People aged 65–69 years are offered vaccination with Vaxigrip^® or Influvac^®. These two vaccines are considered equivalent. On WHO’s recommendation, all influenza vaccines this season are trivalent.

People aged 70 years or older are offered the adjuvanted vaccine Fluad^®, which is expected to be more effective in older people than the standard vaccine.

All influenza vaccines mentioned can be administered simultaneously with the COVID-19 vaccine.

Allergy towards eggs

According to updated recommendations from the Danish Society of Allergology, the previous recommendation against using the vaccine in people with egg allergy, or allergy to neomycin, gentamicin, and other aminoglycosides, no longer applies.

Special Notes on Vaccination of Children

Children at increased risk may be vaccinated with Vaxigrip^® or Influvac^®, both approved for use from 6 months of age.

In general: If a child under 8 years is being vaccinated for the first time, two doses are given with a 4-week interval. If the child has previously been vaccinated against influenza, or is over 8 years, one dose is given.

The decision on whether there is an indication for influenza vaccination in children is made based on a medical assessment.

Vaccination against COVID-19

Target groups and period

Free COVID-19 vaccination is offered to the same target groups and in the same time period as for influenza, except that healthy pregnant women are no longer included.

Pregnancy is no longer considered an independent risk factor for severe COVID-19. The Danish Health Authority recommends that pregnant women, regardless of trimester, who have one of the above-mentioned conditions that pose a risk of severe COVID-19, be vaccinated in line with other persons under 65.

COVID-19 Vaccines in use this season

Vaccination is with the mRNA vaccine Comirnaty LP8.1 from Pfizer-BioNTech. One dose is given, regardless of previous vaccination status, and at least 3 months after the last COVID-19 vaccination. The vaccine can be administered simultaneously with influenza vaccination.

On the basis of a medical assessment, persons with severely reduced immune function may be offered a second dose in the same season, at least 3 months after the first seasonal dose.

Because COVID-19 vaccination is only rarely indicated in children under 18 years of age, this decision should be based on a pediatrician’s medical assessment.

The vaccine comes in multidose vials and in three formulations/dosages: Adults and children ≥12 years (gray cap), children 5–11 years (blue cap), children 6 months–4 years (yellow cap)

Ingredients and allergy

Allergy towards the ingredients of the vaccine is very rare, but vaccination is contraindicated in such cases.

Previous anaphylactic reactions in relation to vaccination or injection of medicine or repeated severe immediate allergic reactions to oral medicines should be assessed by a doctor before vaccination.

Correct registration in DDV (Danish Vaccination Register)

For people 65 years and older, an influenza vaccination course with Vaxigrip^® will be created when invitations are sent. At vaccination, the vaccine in stock (Influvac^®/Vaxigrip^®) should be used.

When registering the vaccine in DDV, it is therefore important to ensure that the batch number and vaccine type match the vaccine actually administered.

For people 65 years or older, a COVID-19 vaccination course with Comirnaty LP8.1 will be created when invitations are sent.

For COVID-19 vaccination of persons without invitation: When a doctor creates a vaccination course, it is important to select Comirnaty LP8.1 (“without invitation”).

Vaccination against influenza and COVID-19 at own expense

Vaccines against influenza and COVID-19 for self-payment can be ordered from SSI.

(L. Hallundbæk, B. Søborg, P.H. Andersen, P. Valentiner-Branth, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Prevention)