Sweden Recommends 4th COVID-19 Dose for Seniors Aged 80 and Above

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] On the 14th (local time), The New York Times (NYT) reported that Sweden is recommending a 4th COVID-19 vaccine dose for those aged 80 and above.

This decision by Sweden is interpreted as following the announcement by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that the effectiveness of the 3rd dose decreases about four months after vaccination. The New York Times added, "As a result, Sweden has become one of the few countries recommending the 4th dose as an additional vaccination."

Currently, the United States and the United Kingdom consider up to the 3rd dose as the 'primary vaccination,' and recommend the 4th dose as a booster shot. In Israel and Chile, the 2nd booster is being prioritized in nursing homes and similar facilities. South Korea also decided on the 14th to administer the 4th dose four months after the 3rd dose to 1.8 million people, including immunocompromised individuals, nursing hospital and facility inpatients, residents, and workers.

Regarding this decision, Anders Tegnell, Sweden's chief epidemiologist, explained, "We believe people aged 80 and above will benefit from the second booster shot."

The New York Times cited some scientists' opinions, stating, "It is unrealistic to have everyone receive injections every few months," and explained, "Booster shots should be focused on the elderly and immunocompromised."

The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines currently used in Sweden are generally administered twice initially with a few weeks interval. According to a project by Oxford University, 73% of Sweden's residents have been fully vaccinated or received the initial two doses.

According to Worldometer, Sweden's daily new confirmed cases, which exceeded 53,000 last month, have decreased to the 7,300 range this month.

Sweden has been ensuring that all elderly aged 80 and above, nursing home residents, and those receiving home care services receive the second booster dose within at least four months after the first booster dose.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.