Swedish PM given COVID-19 vaccine, urges population to follow suit

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven has received his first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, he said on Tuesday, and urged Swedes to do the same when offered. The prime minister, 64, who received both criticism and praise for Sweden's soft-touch pandemic strategy, was vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine.

"Today it was my turn to get the first dose vaccine against COVID-19. It feels incredibly good and I already look forward to receiving the second dose," he said on Facebook. "Take your chance when it comes." Vaccine uptake has been high in Sweden, with 90% of people aged 80 and above having had a shot. Sweden has vaccinated 28% of its adult population.

Sweden has shunned lockdowns throughout the pandemic, instead largely focusing on voluntary measures to promote social distancing and good hygiene.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)