[ad_1]
This week it became clear that the EU Medicines Agency EMA had previously announced a meeting on the Pfizer / Biontech coronavine vaccine. Therefore, the EU can make a decision on approval on December 23.
Deliveries will be sent to all EU countries at the same time, on Christmas Eve, December 24th. Sweden’s vaccine coordinator Richard Bergström has previously said that it would be “theoretically” possible to start vaccination the same day, but that there are several logistical challenges.
Start vaccinating on December 26 or 27
Richard Bergström now tells Swedish radio Ekot that vaccination against covid-19 in Sweden can start during the holidays, on December 26 or 27. Countries such as Germany and Norway also announce that they plan to start vaccinating on these dates.
The first to be vaccinated are residents of nursing homes, people with home care, personal care for the elderly and home care, as well as close family contacts with people with home care. In total, around 600,000 people are covered. This is in accordance with the priority order of the Swedish Public Health Agency.
Smaller than expected
However, it is clear that the first delivery from Pfizer / Biontech will be 15 percent lower than previously planned. After adjustment, about 350,000 doses of vaccines reach Sweden in the first stage, Bergström told Dagens Nyheter.
– It is the case that Pfizer, which is the first to arrive, has had problems delivering to all countries. For example, the United States and England. And what should have happened in December did not turn out as much as they thought. So we get a slightly smaller number of doses, but we get them back later, even if it takes a little longer, he says.
“As soon as possible”
These will then be distributed to the 21 regions of Sweden, which are responsible for carrying out the vaccination. The regions have previously prepared for vaccination on a smaller scale during the holidays.
Emma Spak, section director for Swedish municipalities and regions, says that vaccination depends as much on the regions as on the authorities’ preparations, and which deliveries reach Sweden and when.
“The regions are now working to be able to start vaccinations as soon as possible based on the information they now have access to.“, Has written in an email.
