Large differences across the country in vaccination work - SKR: "Some have an older population than others"

Most of the regions in the country are now vaccinating in phase four against covid-19.

Some regions, such as Kalmar and Gävleborg, started in early May, while others, such as Västernorrland and Östergötland, opened the appointment for phase four only this week.

- Some regions have chosen to work more extensively with the risk group vaccinations and will therefore remain and vaccinate in phase three for a much longer period of time, says Emma Spak, head of the health and medical care section at SKR.

Age of the inhabitants comes into play

She believes that Sweden has come a long way in vaccination work, despite the fact that both vaccination coverage and the age groups that have been vaccinated differ in different parts of the country.

Vadstena is the municipality that has had the longest time, where 65 percent have received the first injection.

Gothenburg is at the bottom where only 30 percent received the first syringe.

- Some municipalities have an older population than others, she says and believes that it is important for how quickly many in the municipality are vaccinated while the situation is also affected by how well you manage to reach out and get people to get vaccinated.

Access to vaccine affects

She does not really want to agree that an unfair situation has arisen where some regions have remained in phase three for a long time, while others have been vaccinated in phase four for almost a month.

She believes that it has to do with the propensity to vaccinate and the availability of vaccines.

- The fact that we vaccinate in both phase three in some places and phase four in others does not signal that people are different or have been vaccinated differently, she says and believes that it is about how many people have succeeded in vaccinating regardless of age group.

At the same time, she points out that as the supply of vaccines now increases, it is important that the regions maintain the pace of vaccination.

- We are in a good position because we have vaccinated 44 percent of the population with a first dose, she says.

In the video, Emma Spak gives her view on why there are large regional differences in vaccination coverage and which age groups have been vaccinated. 

Below you see top and bottom lists for which municipalities have had the longest time with the first syringe.