Sweden: “white spots” on the vaccination map

In recent days, the newspaper “Svenska Dagbladet” wrote in a series of articles about the presence of 450 “white spots” on the vaccination map, which overlap with neighborhoods inhabited by immigrants with social problems. In these areas, less than 50% have been inoculated. The population is over 16, while the average across Sweden is 73%.

According to the country’s chief epidemiologist Anders Tegnell, large regional differences in the public’s vaccination not only threaten the risk of a local outbreak of the Corona virus, but can weaken the health service and make it difficult to combat COVID-19.

SKR representative Marie Morell, present at the government conference, said new ways are being sought to reach people who have not yet been vaccinated. It included information campaigns in foreign languages ​​and the organization of “instant” vaccinations in schools to teach Swedish to newly arrived immigrants. Some areas from immigrant backgrounds recruit “cultural coordinators”.

According to “Svenska Dagbladet”, the Uppsala region has been relatively successful in equalizing the level of immunization of the population, with the authorities sending invitations to all unvaccinated people with a specific date to visit the point.

In many cities, large mass vaccination centers are closed due to low interest. The media reported that thousands of unused doses should be disposed of.

As Social Affairs Minister Lena Hallengren emphasized, “It is necessary to increase the number of people vaccinated in view of the planned abolition of most restrictions.” This is scheduled to happen on September 28.