In Denmark, people roll up their sleeves for seasonal influenza and COVID-19 vaccines

6 December 2022

Health authorities in Denmark started rolling out the 2022/2023 seasonal influenza vaccine programme in October 2022. Many centres, like the Baldersgade Vaccination Centre in Copenhagen, are offering 2 or 3 vaccines to eligible people at the same time – influenza, COVID-19 and pneumococcal vaccines – this autumn and winter. An mpox (monkeypox) vaccine is also available at the Centre for people who need it.

Nearly 3000 people get vaccinated in Copenhagen every day. These testimonies and photos from the Centre show some of the city’s health workers getting ready for a busy winter season amid concerns of a surge in COVID-19 and influenza.

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People wait to be vaccinated at the Baldersgade Vaccination Centre in Copenhagen, Denmark

Denmark launched its 2022/2023 influenza vaccination programme in October 2022. The Baldersgade Vaccination Centre offers vaccines against influenza, COVID-19 and, to select groups, pneumococcal disease and mpox.

Whether against influenza or COVID-19, vaccines save lives, and they remain the best way to fight these diseases. WHO also encourages people to take other personal protective measures, such as cleaning hands regularly and staying away from other people when unwell with respiratory illnesses.

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Inge Ida Lissan (centre), a nurse at the Centre

Nurse Inge Ida Lissan prepares COVID-19 and influenza vaccines at the Centre.

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A sign at the Centre indicates that COVID-19 vaccines are available

COVID-19 is just 1 of 4 immunizations offered at the Centre. It also offers vaccines against influenza and, to select groups, pneumococcal disease and mpox.

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Bodil Walter, a nurse, talks to Michael Florentin before administering the COVID-19 booster

Michael already got the influenza vaccine at his job, so he came to the Centre only for the COVID-19 booster. “Getting vaccinated is important for both yourself and the health of your family and people who are less fortunate and less healthy in your society,” says Michael.

“I'm so, so fortunate that where I'm working, they're offering influenza shots to all the employees. And even if I didn't have that opportunity, I would probably consider it because I have a lung disease,” he adds.

“I've never considered a flu vaccine before because flu for me has always been kind of not dramatic, but COVID-19 has really made it apparent to me that the flu isn't that risk-free after all, and it made me reconsider [this],” concludes Michael, who contracted COVID-19 about a year ago.

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Per Jensen receives 3 vaccinations at the Centre

The Centre offers multiple vaccines to the general public and priority groups.

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Per Jensen shows his arm after being vaccinated

Per received multiple seasonal vaccines at the Centre in a single visit.

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Anne-Maj Fabricius, a midwife who also administers vaccinations at the Centre

Anne-Maj stresses the importance of both the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant women. Her background as a midwife helps, she says, to put pregnant women at ease and address concerns they might have about the vaccines.

Anne-Maj describes working at the Centre as “special”. She gets to mix with a range of health workers – including doctors, other midwives and occupational therapists – and feels part of a team.

“You go home feeling that you have done a good job. That you have made people happy,” she adds.

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Tina Barsøe, Director of the Centre, speaks to Catharina de Kat from WHO/Europe

The Director says that those who come to the Centre to get vaccinated are very motivated, and they understand the importance of vaccination. Overall, she sees greater confidence in vaccination since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is a bit worrying because when we had the big COVID-19 wave, we didn't have very much flu. So it’s a concern now. If both COVID-19 and flu infections increase, then it's a very bad combination, especially for the vulnerable groups,” she explains.

Tina adds that the Centre’s employees have become very seasoned in administering vaccinations, and that the Centre offers in-home vaccination for vulnerable people who can’t come in person.

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Brandon Poblete, a nurse at the Centre

Brandon prepares to administer influenza vaccines.

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A sign at the Centre reminds people to clean their hands

In addition to getting vaccinated, taking personal protective measures such as cleaning hands regularly and staying away from other people when unwell with respiratory illnesses is key to curbing the spread of COVID-19 and influenza infections.

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