The flue is gaining ground all over the country, but most of all in the counties of Uppsala, Västra Götaland, Värmland, Örebro, Västerbotten and Norrbotten.
“Since the vaccination of risk groups already have gotten this far, the burden on the healthcare system and society at large is eased, even if the spread of infection will continue for some time”, writes Johan Carlson, director general at the Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control (SMI), in a statement.
The peak in spread of the influenza is believed not to have been reached yet. The increase is expected to continue.
During the week many Swedish media have reported that the vaccine has begun to run out at some places, that there are queues and that people may go to health centers in vain.
But the image of chaos surrounding the vaccination is not shared by Anders Tegnell, Head of the National Board.
“It really doesn´t feels like a chaotic situation, quite the opposite. Nearly two million people have been vaccinated in less than five weeks”, Tegnell says to news agency TT.
And he adds that it´s not at all surprising that the vaccine runs out from time to time.
“There will be enough for everyone. Within two to three weeks, each delivery will be doubled,” Tegnell says.
According to numbers from the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions, 2.110.500 doses of vaccine have been delivered so far.
Most regional councils still vaccinates persons from the medical risk groups. Many have also started to vaccinate children and their parents.
“You should wait until the regional council where you live signals that it´s a green light to the public”, Anders Tegnell says.
Last week there was 51 persons reported to be so bad that they required hospitalization, three needed ventilators and on needed an artificial lung.
School-age children predominate, but the number of cases is on the rise in all age groups.
Nothing suggests that the virus behind the epidemic has changed, and the number of hospitalized and dead is not higher than expected relative to the number of infections.
Here you can find information about the influenza and how to get vaccinated in Stockholm County.
David Jonasson
david.jonasson@stockholmnews.com