Sweden’s autumn 2025 COVID-19 plan offers free shots only to those aged 75+ and vulnerable adults 18–74, excluding healthy 65–74-year-olds. Officials cite low cost-effectiveness and stronger immunity. Experts warn this could raise risks. Denmark and several EU states maintain broader vaccination coverage
Sweden has revised its COVID-19 vaccination policy, limiting free fall 2025 doses to those aged 75 and above or 18–74 with medical vulnerabilities. Healthy individuals aged 65–74 are excluded unless regions secure coverage for priority groups. The government argues the cost-effectiveness of broader vaccination is low, citing reduced disease severity and high immunity. Critics, including virologist Åke Lundkvist, dispute the higher age threshold, saying immunity weakens from 50 onward. Economists also warn that excluding some seniors may raise long-term healthcare costs from post-COVID conditions. In contrast, Denmark, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands still vaccinate all individuals over 60–65, while the UK, Norway, and Finland follow Sweden’s stricter approach. The policy reflects Sweden’s growing emphasis on fiscal discipline over precaution, sparking debate about balancing health protection and economic efficiency in pandemic response planning
