Sweden’s vulnerable to getting the 5th COVID infection – EURACTIV.com
Sweden’s elderly and at-risk groups will receive a fifth dose of the covid-19 vaccine, Minister of Social Affairs Lena Hallengren announced at a press conference on Monday.
From 1 September, the elderly and people in risk groups are recommended to receive a fifth dose of the covid-19 vaccine, Hallengren announced at a press conference with Secretary General of the Public Health Agency Karin Tegmark Wisell on Monday (24 May).
For other adults, a fourth dose will be offered. According to Hallengren, the covid-19 vaccine will be provided in the same way as the flu vaccine this autumn – but free of charge.
“The pandemic is not over. It can be repeated. We must be well prepared and continue the vaccinations,” she said.
The Swedish Public Health Agency estimates that the frequency of infection will increase this autumn, but not to levels that require previous restrictions to be reintroduced.
“We believe that covid-19 will be spread in a similar way as the flu has done. But it is assumed that there are no new variants. If it does, we may need to change the recommendations,” says Tegmark Wisell.
The authority’s advice is that everyone who is 12 years and older should be vaccinated, that everyone who is 18 years and older should take a third dose and everyone who is 65 years and older should take a fourth.
According to the latest statistics from the Swedish Public Health Agency (19 May), 65% of the population aged 18 and older in Sweden have received three doses of the covid-19 vaccine.
In the group 12 years and older, 85% received at least two doses.