Measles cases challenge Swedish vaccination model

In recent days, cases of measles have been confirmed in both Stockholm and NorrbottenThis means that more than 24 cases of the highly contagious and potentially serious disease have been detected so far this year, the highest number of cases since 2019.

This could lead to politicians once again calling for “tougher measures” to ensure parents vaccinate their children. Just like in 2017. The liberals demanded Unvaccinated children should be able to take them from preschool.

Regardless of what one believes, the question of how to vaccinate as many people as possible, against measles for example, is not irrelevant. Vaccinations are among the measures that have had the greatest impact on people’s health and well-being. We are talking about saving millions of lives.

per person For the individual, vaccination can be crucial. For society, too, but only if enough people are vaccinated. As a result, researchers and others have devoted a great deal of thought to how to get the general public to understand the purpose of vaccination. So what’s the best way to convince others to get vaccinated?

Recently, a study emerged in which Chinese researchers tested different strategies to try to get people vaccinated against COVID-19. Participants were divided into three groups, and then compared with a control group. In the first group, participants were told about the benefits of vaccination: that the vaccine gives you antibodies, which reduce your risk of getting severely ill. In the second group, they were told about the benefits to others: that getting vaccinated helps prevent others from getting sick. And in the third group, participants were instead told about the risks of not getting vaccinated. “If you don’t get vaccinated, you won’t develop antibodies against COVID-19, and you’re at higher risk of getting severely ill.”

The result that Reported in the Journal of Public HealthWillingness to be vaccinated appears to have been highest in the last group. In this group, 72.6% chose to be vaccinated. Next came the group that had been told about the benefits of vaccinating themselves (65.5%), while willingness to be vaccinated was lowest among those who had been told about the benefits of vaccinating others (62%).

conclusion The study is that we humans are the closest to ourselves and we are easily frightened. So it could be. On the other hand, there are vaccination programs that work well anyway, without creating panic or other requirements. A prime example is the Swedish childhood vaccination program. It is a program that is entirely based on voluntary work and a shared understanding of what is good. Despite, or perhaps because of, participation in this program is very high. Around 95%, which is much higher than in most other countries.

It would probably be difficult to get much higher participation. On the other hand, the obvious risk, if politicians were to make demands again, is that this would backfire against the desire to be vaccinated instead. Moreover. Just over 24 serious cases. But by international standards, that is nothing. Or as the state epidemiologist at the time, Anders Tegnell, put it, male Talking about the ten cases that resulted in the 2017 debate:

– My colleagues in England or France, who have thousands of cases, would laugh if I called them and told them we were having this discussion because of ten cases. They wouldn't even pick up the phone.

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Confirmed case of measles in Stockholm

Measles on the rise – first cases in Kalmar County in ten years