The mass vaccination against swine flu in Sweden during 2009 is estimated to only have saved 6 lives, according to an investigation by the newspaper Svenska Dagbladet (SvD). Around five million people in Sweden were vaccinated, but the fatality rate was the same as in a country that only vaccinated people from risk groups.
Sweden vaccinated around 60 percent of the population against swine flu. In Germany only 8 percent of the population was vaccinated. Despite this, the fatality rate was the same in both countries; 0.31 deaths per 100,000 people. In Poland no-one was vaccinated against the swine flu and there the fatality rate was 0.47 deaths per 100,000 people; only slightly higher than in Sweden.
There are no explanations to the similar outcomes between countries with different vaccination schemes. ECDC say they are still investigating the issue and a separate investigation has been launched in Sweden.
1,607 people in Sweden required hospital care for swine flu. Out of them, 136 people required intensive care and around 11 percent received ECMO-treatment. A bit over 30 people died.
168 children and youths have been diagnosed with narcolepsy following swine flu vaccination.
