Sweden introduces digital covid vaccine certificates from 1 December for public gatherings
Sweden is ready to introduce a digital covid-19 vaccine certificate for public gatherings and events with more than 100 people indoors, the authorities said on Wednesday 17 November according to the news agency Associated Press (AP). Several EU countries have taken similar measures in response to the recent increase in covid-19 cases across the continent. Lena Hallengren, Minister of Social Affairs, informed that the certificate will be implemented from 1 December. Sweden has consistently stood out among the European countries for its hands-off attitude to the pandemic.
At the same time, Amanda Lind, the country’s Minister of Culture, stated that even if the vaccination certificate will not be mandatory in the country, people who will not be able to produce it would be subject to certain restrictions. She also stated that it was up to the organizers to decide on the restrictions, the news agency reported. According to Karin Tegmark Wisell, head of the Swedish Public Health Agency, the introduction is “an important measure to avoid burdening healthcare.”
Sweden has so far reported 15,107 covid-related deaths
It is important to mention here that Sweden did not go into closure or close companies during the pandemic, but relied on citizens’ sense of civic duty to keep infections under control. The authorities in the country have emphasized individual responsibility instead of focusing on the government’s health measures. The Scandinavian country has officially registered 15,107 deaths, of which 13 were confirmed on Wednesday 17 November. According to official statistics, 85.3 percent of people aged 16 and older have been vaccinated with at least one dose, while 81.7 percent of people are completely inoculated.
At the same time, a group of 16 doctors from Sweden together with researchers have signed a petition demanding that Pfizer jabs be suspended in the European country due to a suspected fraud with the subcontractor. According to a report by Sputnik, earlier this month, the British Medical Journal (BMJ) revealed that a subcontractor to Pfizer is likely to carry out extensive research fraud during the crucial phase III study of the US pharmaceutical manufacturer COVID-19 vaccine 2020. The group of 16 Swedish doctors considered the reports on Pfizer ” extremely serious “. The call, signed and written by health experts, has said: “It undermines confidence in Pfizer, which is responsible for testing the vaccine and for the safety of the vaccine currently used by Swedes,” reported Sputnik.