Sweden extends break with Moderna vaccine for younger age groups
Sweden has extended the break with Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for people aged 30 and younger due to rare heart-related side effects, the public health authority stated on Thursday.
The health authority said earlier in October that data pointed to an increase in myocarditis and pericarditis among adolescents and young adults vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine Spikevax, and paused use for all born in 1991 or later. The agency said on Thursday that the break would be extended after the original deadline of December 1 and that those who took the first dose of the Moderna vaccine would be offered the Comirnaty vaccine from Pfizer / Biontech instead.
The European Medicines Agency approved the use of Comirnaty in May, while Spikevax received a nod for children over 12 in July. The health authority also said it was time to stop extensive testing and will remove the test recommendation for those who are fully vaccinated, even if they show symptoms.
“We must test those who are most at risk of becoming infected with covid-19. The vaccine protects well, above all against serious illness but also against infection and the spread of infection,” said the health authority’s official Britta Bjorkholm at a press conference. About 85% of all Swedes aged 16 and up have received a dose of vaccine and 80% have received two injections or more.
The new test guidelines will enter into force on 1 November. People who are patients or working in healthcare should still be tested, as well as those who have been in contact with someone who has been confirmed to be positive. Of 139,651 tests last week, 3% returned positive.
Sweden, which opted for extensive shutdowns and relied mostly on voluntary recommendations throughout the pandemic, currently has relatively low levels of falls, hospitalizations and deaths compared to other European countries.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is automatically generated from a syndicated feed.)