By Abiola Olawale (The New Diplomat’s Southwest Bureau)
Sweden on Thursday announced the resumption of the use of Oxford/AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine after initially suspending its administration due to blood clot fears.
The Sweden Health Agency disclosed that the country will resume the administration of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine due to the effectiveness of the vaccine, however, the jab would be restricted to citizens over 65 years.
Sweden, among other European countries had suspended the use of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine in mid-March following reported cases of severe blood clots potentially linked to the vaccine.
However, in a statement released by Johan Carlson, Director General, Public Health Agency, Sweden announced the lifting of the suspension on the use of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine but kept the suspension order for younger Swedes, in a bid to give room for more investigation as regards the cases of blood clots.
The statement reads: “The vaccine is of great use for the elderly, among whom many fall seriously ill each day. At the same time, we haven’t seen these rare and serious side effects among our elders. That is the background to why we are lifting the suspension for people older than 65.”
The decision by Sweden might not be unconnected to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in the country.
According to data from the World Health Organization(WHO), Sweden recorded a total 39,757 COVID-19 cases from March 16 (when the country suspended the use of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine) till March 24.
Also, Sweden, a country of 10.3 million inhabitants, has so far recorded 773,690 cases of COVID-19 and 13,373 associated deaths.
