Sweden pauses the use of Modernas Covid -jab in the 30s over reports of rare side effects
Sweden will pause the use of Modern‘s Covid-19 vaccine for people born in 1991 and later after reports of possible rare side effects such as myocarditis, the country’s health bureau announced on Wednesday.
Officials said data indicated an increase in myocarditis and pericarditis among adolescents and young adults who had been vaccinated.
“The link is particularly clear with regard to Maternal vaccine Spikevax, especially after the second dose,” it said in a statement, adding that the risk of being affected was very small.
The health service said that it now recommended the Comirnaty vaccine from Pfizer / Biontech instead. People born in 1991 or later who had received a first Modern shot, about 81,000 people, would not get a second Modern shot, it added.
Earlier this week, the Swedish health authority said that people aged 12-15 would only receive the Pfizer / Biontech vaccine.
The European Medicines Agency approved the use of Comirnaty in May, while Spikevax received the nod for children over 12 in July.
Sweden has suffered more than 14,800 Covid-related deaths with a mortality rate that is medium compared to other European countries.
The country attracted international attention for its handling of the pandemic, favoring a light touch strategy that focused on advice rather than legal restrictions.
Last week, the border for public gatherings was abolished, which made Swedes pack nightclubs all over the country.
Read more
Covid jab expansion for teenagers must be accelerated, say researchers
Sajid Javid says to nursing home staff: ‘Get the Covid job or another job’
The schoolgirl, 15, died of covid on the day she was to be vaccinated