This week "everyone" from the Minister of the Environment receives 65 to 80 text messages – NRK Vestfold – Local News, Television and Radio

"Hey, have you taken the flu vaccine? Recommended for anyone aged 65. Contact your doctor and read more at www.fhi.no. Greeting State Council Åse Michaelsen."

This text message is being sent this week to anyone aged 65 to 80. However, people who have not opened up digital communication with the authorities will not receive it.

– People over the age of 65 have a higher risk of severe flu. Therefore, we have created a short reminder sent to over 500,000 people aged 65 to 80 years old, "says Kiertis Ridland, NRK Senior Advisor to the Norwegian Society for Public Health (FHI).

– What do you know about the impact of such challenges?

"In international research, we see that this is a measure that has a fairly good effect. We do not have numbers from Norway, but this is definitely something they do in other countries.

She also believes that when it comes to the Minister of the Elderly, they will have a personal appeal, if it were from the Department.

– There can be a lot to win

Over 900,000 Norwegians are over 65. According to FHI, far less than half of them have been vaccinated against influenza.

"Last year, vaccination coverage in this group is about 34 percent, 65-80 years old. We'd rather cover more than 75 percent," says Ridlend.

At the same time, they are becoming more and more vaccinated every year.

To the individual

"With this short message from the Minister for Public Health, we hope that more elderly people will take a vaccine to protect themselves from serious influenza," said Carol Bragstad, director of the Department of Public Health Institute's website.

In addition, an individual must or should not take the vaccine.

"Many healthy elderly people may not need to use the vaccine, but flu can weaken their health and, after a long time after infection, make you more dependent on health care. That's why there can be a lot if the vaccine is taken before the season starts," says Bragstad.

Rydland adds that you have a good time if you want to vaccinate this year.

"Now there is very little flu, so you have to spend a few weeks before it starts to rush. Let's wait for the flu until December.