Effects of COVID-19 vaccination won't be seen until summer: Swedish expert

The effects of the COVID-19 vaccination program will not be seen until summer at the earliest, Swedish state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell said on Friday, reported Xinhua.

As of Friday, around 276,000 Swedes had had at least the first dose of the vaccine. This is not nearly enough, Tegnell told the national public television station SVT, as so far only the most vulnerable groups were getting the vaccine.

"The vaccinations that are done now and at least in the next two months are all about reducing the risk of serious illness and keeping the death rate low. Once we start vaccinating the general population in April, May or June, we can start to see the effects."

To date, only the oldest individuals have been inoculated, but now the country is preparing for Phase 2 of its vaccination program.

Tegnell also reiterated the warning of a possible third wave that was issued on Thursday. He said the developments in the near future largely hinge on the general public following the rules and recommendations.

"It is a period during which people must manage to stay apart," he said, adding that "At the moment we see a large-scale spread of the infection. It is very much a warning signal to all of us."

Tegnell said should Sweden be hit by a third wave, something that would rapidly accelerate the spread of infection, he expected it to happen in the next few weeks.

Earlier this week, the Public Health Agency released the results of a study showing that 11 percent of 2,200 positive COVID-19 tests could be connected to the more contagious strain first discovered in the United Kingdom.

By Friday, Sweden had confirmed 588,062 COVID-19 cases and 12,115 deaths since the start of the pandemic.