It was on Friday last week that Region Sörmland stopped its vaccination of staff after significantly more than expected had side effects from the Astra Zeneca vaccine against covid-19.
Of the 400 people who received their first doses on Thursday, about 100 people had side effects and many had to take sick leave.
Fever is listed as a common and harmless side effect, but affected significantly more people than expected.
- We have had a dialogue with both the Medical Products Agency and with Astra Zeneca since the stop and there is nothing to suggest that there is anything wrong with the vaccine, says Magnus Johansson.
Resumes on Thursday
From Thursday, vaccination will resume, but now Region Sörmland will need to partially rethink in order not to risk ending up in a situation where many employees are affected at the same time.
- We have not previously vaccinated entire units but parts of units.
But we need to review it one more time, because now we know that there may be as many as a third who can not work the day after vaccination due to fever or other common side effects.
The vaccination stop together with the new logistical challenges means a certain delay in staff vaccination overall, but the Region is waiting for larger quantities of Astra Zeneca's vaccine and Magnus Johansson believes that it will catch up.
Milder at the second dose
Of the approximately 100 people who were affected by the side effects, the vast majority have recovered, but there are still some who have symptoms, says Magnus Johansson.
- These are common side effects that are known, such as fever for several days, body aches, headaches and nausea.
The vaccine is taken in two doses for adequate protection and side effects at the second dose should be milder, according to current experience.
- This is what you know now according to reports from other countries where you have also given a second dose, but we do not know completely so far.