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More and more people are joining the Sahlgrenska Hospital call to immediately begin vaccinating staff caring for covid patients. State epidemiologist Anders Tegnell doesn’t close doors. – But then the regions have to come back to us, he says.
The Swedish Public Health Agency is opening up to change the priority order of covid vaccines. Stock Photography.
When Swedes now receive a massive Covid-19 vaccine, it is mainly the people who live in special housing for the elderly or receive home care first.
But with increased pressure on healthcare, various voices are now being raised about doing the same in Denmark and prioritizing parts of the healthcare staff. Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg was the first to apply and is supported by various care associations.
– I think that those who work in the ambulance, IVA and with covid care, where the risk of contagion is greater, should be vaccinated first. It would be a smart move if care could continue, says Anne Karin Höglund, president of the Health Association in Västra Götaland.
The Skåne care association has previously expressed similar thoughts and has the support of colleagues from Västerbotten.
– It is a very difficult ethical consideration to let health personnel act first. But at the same time, there is a severe shortage of our membership groups, and if there is widespread illness among staff, we cannot serve patients, says Vice President Katarina Nilsson Reian.
The Swedish Medical Association wants parallel vaccinations for healthcare personnel to start as soon as possible.
– When the supply of vaccines increases, we must be able to vaccinate both those who are most at risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 and healthcare personnel, says President Sofia Rydgren Stale.
Expect all union members to be vaccinated during the first months of the year.
– Health personnel must occupy a prominent place in the order of priority, we are in the front line with a constant risk of infection.
The Swedish Public Health Agency, which is responsible for developing the priority order for covid vaccines, opened on Saturday to adjust this.
– The main argument for us to do what we do is that it follows the ethical basis of how care should be carried out. If it is to be abandoned, a broader discussion is required, which we are willing to have, state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell said at Saturday’s press conference, continuing:
– Going from vaccinating in nursing homes to vaccinating in care would have important effects. The great risk of serious illness and death lies with those who live in nursing homes, we have seen it in Sweden. If we want to do that, a general assessment is required, then the regions must come back to us.
However, among the members of the Swedish municipalities and regions, SKR, there are no such plans at present.
– It is the responsibility of the FHM to develop the order of priority, and the regions support it according to the agreement that exists with the state on how vaccinations will be carried out. There is no active discussion on our part about changing the priority order, Emma Spak, head of the medical and health care section at SKR, tells TT.
The vaccination plan
The Swedish Public Health Agency has developed a national vaccination plan against covid-19. Recommends that vaccines be offered to the following groups first:
People who live in special dwellings for the elderly or who have home care, mainly people aged 70 and over.
Personnel who serve particularly vulnerable people in the care of the elderly, medical care and other care.
Adults who live with people who receive home care.
The recommendation of the Swedish Public Health Agency is to support the regions’ own decisions on vaccination and a basis for them to make decisions based on different conditions.
Source: Swedish Public Health Agency
