Swedes are divided on whether to receive the Covid-19 vaccine

Stockholm: Swede Misa Sheibi has no plans to vaccinate herself against the emerging coronavirus, as she fears, like hundreds of her young citizens, the negative effects of the drugs quickly achieved after a massive campaign to contain the “H1N1” virus 11 years ago undermined the Swedish confidence in vaccines.

The young woman, who got sick from excessive sleep after a swine flu vaccine, says, “I would not recommend” getting a fast-developed vaccine at all, “unless absolutely necessary and you risk the death”.

And adds the 21-year-old student living in central Sweden: “I’ll wait five years (for vaccination) when the risks are known.”

In 2009, local health authorities urged Swedes to voluntarily submit a swine flu vaccine, “Pandemrix”, produced by the British laboratory, “GlaxoSmithKline”.

More than 60% of the population, or about six million people, answered the call, a record percentage for a country where vaccination is not mandatory.

However, like Mesa, hundreds of people, mainly children and young adults, have developed narcolepsy (narcolepsy), also known as narcolepsy, due to the side effects of the vaccine. This is due to a substance added to increase the effect on the immune system.

“He spent my life,” reveals Mesa, who was 11 at the time.

“I always sleep, no matter what the circumstances and the time, around the table, during job interviews, speeches, conferences and at the university. I fell asleep at work, on the bus and in other places …” she continues.

About 440 of the 702 complainants received compensation from the Pharmaceutical Insurance Fund, which paid a total of 100 million kronor (approximately $ 12 million).

The chief epidemiologist has called for a full-scale vaccination campaign

Andersh Tegnell, chief Swedish epidemiologist and architect of the controversial national strategy against COVID-19, was part of the Health Council’s expert team that called for a large-scale vaccination campaign in 2009-2010.

“Of course, the decision would have been completely different if we had known about the side effects. But it was not known at all and it was a shock to everyone,” the doctor said in statements to Agence France-Presse.

“There has been an international consensus for years that vaccination is the best thing you can do during a pandemic, and it’s the only long-term solution,” he added.

The Swedish case reflects the extent to which it is difficult for governments to conduct vaccination campaigns among major suspects and suspects in many countries, but also in light of the need to contain an epidemic that is paralyzing the entire world.

Babis Stefanides, 36, who lives in Stockholm, has made a decision. It will not be vaccinated against Covid-19, as “many questions remain about it”.

A recent survey by the Novus Institute showed that more than a quarter of Swedes (26%) share their opinion, while 28% of the population has not yet decided their question.

Less than half of Swedes (46%) intend to receive one of the Covid-19 vaccines, which is expected to be marketed in early 2021.

According to Johan Carlson, director of the Swedish Health Authority, the epidemic can only be defeated after 60-70% of the population has been vaccinated.

“Everyone should think carefully and make their own decisions,” he said on Sunday on a television report. “Most people usually get vaccinated in Sweden.”

The country, in fact, has one of the highest levels of voluntary vaccination of children, with over 90%, knowing that there is no mandatory vaccination in the country.

Hannah Line, a 37-year-old social worker, plans to get vaccinated with her husband and their three children.

He says: “We have to assume our moral responsibilities towards the elderly and the sick. We will get vaccinations, and it may not be in our interest, but it is in the interest of society.”

Elizabeth Widdell, president of the Swedish Narcolepsy Association, disagrees. In his opinion, the authorities were not mistaken in calling for a widespread vaccination in 2009, but they over-emphasized the sense of solidarity of the Swedes, who are often eager to comply with official recommendations.

“People who decide not to undergo the vaccination should not be criticized or humiliated,” he says, “it is not mandatory and they are free to choose.”