The Swedish Public Health Agency's latest figures show that 37 percent of the country's 12-15 year olds have had time to receive a first vaccine dose.

In several regions, more than half have received a dose, while other regions have lagged behind.

According to state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell, this is partly due to a lack of cooperation between regions and schools. 

- We think it is unfortunate that they have not had a better collaboration with the schools, it is impossible to get away from, he says.

At Örbyskolan in southern Stockholm, only a third of the students wanted to be vaccinated.

The corona restrictions therefore remain, which means, among other things, outdoor sports lessons.

Photo: Marco Nilsson

At Örbyskolan in southern Stockholm, only a third of the students wanted to be vaccinated.

The corona restrictions are therefore still in place, which means that students have to keep their distance in the dining room and still have sports lessons outdoors. 

- I have not been vaccinated because I and my parents have come to the conclusion to wait a bit and see the vaccine's impact on us younger, says student Sibel.

Still waiting to start

Eight regions have a vaccination rate of over 50 percent.

Jämtland has come the furthest and has a vaccination rate of 66 percent.

Seven regions have less than 33 percent vaccination rates.

Västernorrland has the lowest vaccination rate with 0.5 percent.

Only about 60 children have been vaccinated so far, and this is because the region has chosen to postpone the broad vaccination of 12-15-year-olds until the end of November. 

- Since we have many elderly people in our county, it will be an extensive task to vaccinate this group and we need to put staff and resources on it first, said Region Västernorrland's infection control doctor Hans Boman in a statement in October.

Tegnell's concern about rapid spread of infection

In many parts of Europe, the spread of infection is now on the rise again, with new restrictions as a result.  

- We do not believe that this school vaccination will affect the spread of infection in society to any great extent, but for the children it matters, says state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell Anders Tegnell. 

What worries you most right now? 

- That we will see such a dramatic and rapidly increasing spread of infection as we have seen in, for example, the Netherlands and Austria.