Heavy criticism of FHM's new preschool recommendations: "Unhappy"

On Monday, the Swedish Public Health Agency changed its recommendations as vaccinated persons and children under the age of six can go to work and preschool, respectively, despite certain disease symptoms.

The changes are criticized by several regions as the spread of the RS virus increases and at the Academic Hospital the situation is still strained.

The Uppsala Region already has its own recommendation to keep the very youngest at home - and also their older siblings.

- We recommend that you keep children under six months at home as much as possible, and preferably also older siblings, who otherwise would have been in preschool.

Avoid social contexts where young children are involved, such as open preschool.

Families with small children should continue to behave as during the covid 19 pandemic: socialize with the closest circle, keep their distance when possible, wash their hands often and sneeze in the armpit, the infection control doctor Johan Nöjd has previously stated.

"Feels unhappy"

The Public Health Agency's guidelines are therefore in conflict with the Uppsala Region.

How does it feel that the Swedish Public Health Agency has changed its recommendations?

- It feels unfortunate because there is so much RS.

We had hoped that the guidelines would rather be strengthened.

We understand that the Swedish Public Health Agency has another infection in mind with covid restrictions.

But our patients who are infants become sicker in RS than covid, so for us the changes were not so successful, says Ulrika Bäckman, section manager at the pediatric emergency department at the University Hospital.

"Sick children still at home"

The Swedish Public Health Agency has previously stated that the spirit of previous restrictions remains - despite the risk of RS virus.

- The basis is that sick children should remain at home.

We have not changed that, says Sara Byfors, unit manager at the authority.

But if specialists in this type of infection and care are so strongly opposed to your decision, should you not have waited?

- Timing is difficult, of course, you can always wait.

But for children, preschool is an important environment.

There are different considerations, but we have come to the conclusion that we think this is a way forward.

In the clip: See the pediatrician talk about the situation at Akademiska and what to think about the RS virus.