This autumn, new updated vaccines against covid-19 will be given to the Swedes.
The vaccine should protect better against the virus variant XBB, which dominates in Sweden.
– It provides good protection against serious illness, says incoming state epidemiologist Magnus Gisslén to TV4 Nyheterna.
Pfizer’s new upgraded vaccine is now being reviewed by the European Medicines Agency and is likely to be approved within a month. The deliveries are expected to arrive in October ahead of the season’s vaccination effort, which starts on November 7, according to the Public Health Agency (FHM).
The vaccine should protect better against the virus variant XBB, which dominates to almost 100 percent in Sweden. According to the FHM, the protection against XBB is more specific in the updated vaccines.
New variants such as Eris and BA.2.86 are spreading in several countries.
– It must be remembered that the vaccine does not provide great protection against becoming infected, and the updated vaccines probably will not either, but they do provide good protection against serious illness, says Magnus Gisslén.
“Absolutely no downside”
– It is not certain that it is a big decisive difference that it is an updated vaccine. There is absolutely no disadvantage, but even the old vaccines have had a good effect.
Refill doses against covid-19 are currently recommended for people with risk factors due to illness or age. Notification of whether there is a need to adjust the recommendations is expected in September, according to TT.
During the summer, the spread of infection has been at a low level in Sweden. There has been a certain increase in recent weeks, but the spread of infection is still considered to be at a comparatively low level.