Norway reports increased influenza and pneumococcal vaccination, but lower COVID-19 uptake

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) has reported national vaccination registry data following the launch of Norway’s adult vaccination programme in autumn 2025. The programme includes influenza and COVID-19 vaccination for older adults and risk groups, and pneumococcal vaccination from the year people turn 65. The update describes vaccination coverage rather than clinical outcomes; population counts were not provided.

In the 2025–2026 season, influenza vaccination coverage among people aged 65 or older reached 69%, three percentage points higher than the previous season. More municipalities achieved the national target of at least 75%. Among people born in 1960, registered pneumococcal vaccination coverage increased from 13% at the start of vaccination in autumn 2025 to 43% by season end.

COVID-19 vaccination coverage among people aged 75 or older was 48%, which FHI described as a clear decline across the country compared with the previous season. The previous national percentage was not reported. Municipal coverage ranged from 36% to 82% for influenza, 15% to 71% for COVID-19, and 10% to 89% for pneumococcal vaccination in the 1960 birth cohort.

FHI encouraged the oldest adults to receive recommended COVID-19 vaccination because protection wanes over time. People born in 1960 who missed pneumococcal vaccination remain eligible at a reduced price. These descriptive figures highlight geographic gaps but do not establish why uptake changed or quantify effects on disease burden.