Ongoing vaccination throughout southern Sweden

In Skåne, Karin Johansson, 89, from a nursing home in Råå on the outskirts of Helsingborg, was the first to get vaccinated against COVID-19. She, like everyone else who will be vaccinated in the near future, will receive a vaccine from Pfizer / Biontech.

But it is not only at Scania that vaccination has now started. Even in Halland, Blekinge and Kronoberg, the elderly have been able to participate in the new vaccine during the day.

Gooseberry came out first

Halland received 200 doses of vaccine in an initial delivery. The first to participate in the new protection against covid-19 was the Krusbäret nursing home in Halmstad.

Vaccination began there shortly after 11 a.m. on Sunday. A total of 47 people received the first dose. Among them were both residents and staff.

– The fact that we are now in the vaccination process means that we have another tool against the pandemic and covid-19, but that does not mean that we can start living as usual. We have a serious infection situation in Halland and we will have to follow the recommendations of the Public Health Agency for a long time, says Maria Löfgren, assistant doctor for infection control in the Halland region, in a press release.

“Vaccinate as many as possible”

At the same time, 22 caregivers at Birkagården accommodation in Växjö were the first to receive the new vaccine in Kronoberg. There, the vaccination effort will continue in Tingsryd, Ljungby and Älmhult in the coming days.

– It feels good that we could already start vaccination today. Although there are a small number of doses today, there will soon be a larger number. It is important that we now vaccinate as many as possible as soon as possible, both for the sake of patients, healthcare and society, says Mikael Johansson (M), president of the regional board.

For starters, the new vaccine is offered to the elderly with the greatest need for corona protection. These are people who live in special dwellings, as well as people with home health care and home care.

Priority will also be given in the near future to health and care personnel working close to patients.

– 2020 has been a year of testing. The coronavirus has affected us as a country and as human beings. Many have passed away, even more have lost a dear friend, family member or colleague. People have become unemployed and many have seen their life’s work disappear in the wake of the pandemic, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven (S) said in connection with a press conference ahead of the start of vaccination on Sunday.

Starts monday

But not all regions of southern Sweden started vaccinating risk groups on Sunday. Kalmar County will start distributing its first 200 doses to nursing homes in Mörbylånga and Västervik on Monday.

“As the availability of vaccines increases, more special housing and municipalities will be included. Where and how continuous vaccination of priority groups will be carried out is being planned. The hope is that vaccinations can begin countywide in early January, provided vaccines and supplies are delivered according to plan, ”Kalmar County writes in a news release.

The goal is for all Kalmar County residents to be offered a Covid-19 vaccine during the first half of the year.

At the same time, two nursing homes in Karlshamn will be the first to use the new covid vaccine in Blekinge. These are Östralycke and Ekegården nursing homes.