- Everyone should feel safe with the vaccines we use and that we use the vaccine for the target groups it is suitable for, says Hallengren.
On Thursday, the news came that the European Medicines Agency is giving the green light to the vaccine because they do not link the Astra Zeneca vaccine to an increased risk of blood clots.
However, the EMA still cannot rule out a causal link with the serious side effects in the form of unusual bleeding that have been observed in a few cases in Europe.
"Not sure it's used for everyone"
In Sweden, the Swedish Public Health Agency is waiting until next week with information about whether and how the Astra vaccine will now be used.
Together with the Medical Products Agency, they are now analyzing how to proceed.
- That EMA says that it is still approved does not necessarily mean that it will be used on the entire population, says Hallengren.
If the vaccine is used again, it is the authorities who choose who gets it, the person in the vaccination queue has no opportunity to choose the vaccine manufacturer himself.
The Minister of Social Affairs says in Aktuellt that she understands that there may be a concern about side effects, but also emphasizes that all possible precautionary measures are taken in the vaccination process.
- I want to be very careful about playing out that you can choose a vaccine - it will not be relevant.
We will not see that people are test pilots, we use approved vaccines against the target groups and individuals it is suitable for.
It is unclear whether the vaccine target can be reached
Regarding the vaccination target set by the government, that all Swedes should have been offered a vaccine by the end of the first half of the year, Hallengren will not announce tonight whether it will be adjusted.
- I do not want to say that today, we are fighting hard to get the vaccines we are entitled to.
But given how jerky it is and how uncertain the world market looks, it is wise not to assume that you have received two doses just in time for the holidays.