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Tegnell: Risk of infection in healthcare is assessed as small
Of: Anna Sjögren, Sara Milstead
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More and more votes are being obtained for healthcare workers to be first in the vaccination queue, but the Swedish Public Health Agency has no plans to change the order.
That Sweden’s strategy differs from that of its Nordic neighbors is a symbolic act, according to Torbjörn Tännsjö, a philosophy professor.
– The government and the Public Health Agency are ashamed that the care of the elderly has been treated so badly, he says.
In the Swedish vaccination plan, people over 70 years of age must first be offered a vaccination syringe. But our Nordic neighbors have opted for a different strategy where health workers should be prioritized.
In Finland, medical staff at the emergency and IVA clinics are first in line for a covid injection, and in Denmark, medical staff in the front line against COVID-19 should be prioritized. In Norway, the National Institute of Public Health has recently changed its guidelines so that healthcare professionals who have close contact with patients and staff in nursing homes should receive the vaccine in parallel with the elderly.
And from the Swedish side, voices are now being raised for the Swedish Public Health Agency to administer vaccines to healthcare personnel first, including those from Sahlgrenska Hospital and the Skåne Health Association, who believe that healthcare needs to be guaranteed.
Chief physician: vaccinate healthcare professionals first
Ambulance personnel have also reacted to the order of priority. Dan Gryth, chief physician and medical manager of the emergency medical vehicles in Stockholm, believes that health workers in the field should be included in the first phase of vaccination. Both to protect themselves and their patients.
– It is the ambulance personnel who often come into contact with elderly and weak patients, he tells Aftonbladet.
– If you can also avoid sick leave among staff, this makes it much easier for all ambulances.
Tegnell: No changes to the plan
But no change to the Swedish vaccination queue is planned, according to Anders Tegnell, a state epidemiologist at the Swedish Public Health Agency. He tells DN that he understands the reasoning, but that the Swedish healthcare system is based on a clear principle that those who need it most should get care first.
– Iva’s staff will come later. We do not have decisions yet, but in the first place there will be health professionals who take care of patients with covid, Anders Tegnell tells TT.
The fact that IVA staff have close contact with patients is not a sufficient reason to allow them to take the lead in the vaccination queue.
– We have some sprouts there. But we consider that the risk of becoming infected in actual contact with care is quite small. When you have studied this properly, it appears to be primarily that staff infect each other in staff rooms and cafeterias. It would be quite strange if patients infected you, because in IVA you have a good protective equipment, Tegnell tells TT.
Teacher: The government is ashamed
That Sweden once again stands out compared to its neighboring countries is due to a bad conscience rather than utility, says Torbjörn Tännsjö, professor of practical philosophy at Stockholm University.
– This is my description of what we are doing right now, we apologize. The public health authority and, above all, the government are ashamed of having taken such poor care of the elderly and want redress now, says Torbjörn Tännsjö.
That the elderly in homes must be protected before their caregivers move through the community is the wrong priority, he says.
– It is absurd that community health personnel are not given priority. I think that regions should decide to vaccinate healthcare professionals first. And protect those who live in infectious environments rather than vaccinate those who can protect themselves.
Photo: Pontus Orre
Anders Tegnell, state epidemiologist.
Anders Tegnell is open to a discussion about the vaccination plan.
– I just want to point out that this is not an easy question for us or anyone else. You also need to remember that if you prioritize someone, you prioritize someone else. The amount of vaccine was determined, he tells DN.
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