[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Anders Tegnell, head of the Swedish Public Health Agency, has attracted international attention by admitting that his country's herd immunity strategy regarding COVID-19 was flawed. Sweden had previously adopted a herd immunity strategy under loose controls without implementing strict lockdown measures, aiming for the majority of the population to develop immunity. However, the mortality rate was significantly higher than in neighboring countries that enforced stringent restrictions.
According to Bloomberg on the 3rd (local time), Tegnell appeared on a Swedish radio broadcast and stated, "If we encounter a similar disease situation again, we would choose between the strategy we took and those of other countries," adding, "We should have better protected nursing homes and conducted more testing." This is interpreted as a regretful remark regarding the herd immunity strategy pursued so far.
From the early stages of COVID-19, Sweden adopted the so-called herd immunity strategy, exposing most of its population to the virus under loose controls to develop natural immunity and suppress infections. However, as a result of this strategy, more than 4,000 people died in Sweden. According to COVID-19 statistics from Johns Hopkins University in the United States, Sweden's cumulative death toll reached 4,468 as of that day. In contrast, neighboring countries that implemented strict lockdowns had significantly fewer deaths: Denmark had 580, Finland 320, and Norway 237.
Tegnell's herd immunity policy has faced continuous criticism both inside and outside Sweden since its implementation. Despite sacrificing over 4,000 lives, the COVID-19 immunity rate in Sweden was poor. Even in the capital, Stockholm, it was only about 7.3%. For herd immunity to be effective, the immunity rate must exceed at least 60%. The Swedish government had projected that the minimum immunity rate would surpass 30% by May.
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