[More elderly persons should be informed about the importance of vaccination against influenza. Extensive needs of information also among the health personnel].

In Sweden yearly vaccination against influenza for persons over 65 years of age has been recommended since 1997. In the Göteborg area approximately 33.6 percent of this age group were vaccinated during the autumn 1999. The most common reasons given for not being vaccinated were lack of confidence in the vaccine and a belief that influenza is not a serious disease. The study shows that both doctors and the target group need more information about the benefits of influenza vaccination.