Sweden suspends Moderna vax

Copenhagen, October 6

Swedish health authorities on Wednesday suspended the use of Moderna's Covid-19 vaccine for those aged 30 and under, saying the move was done out of precaution.

The reason for the pausing is “signals of an increased risk of side effects such as inflammation of the heart muscle or the pericardium” — the double-walled sac containing the heart and the roots of the main vessels, Sweden's Public Health Agency said in a statement. “The risk of being affected is very small.” Anders Tegnell, Sweden's chief epidemiologist, said they “follow the situation closely and act quickly to ensure that vaccinations were as safe as possible and at the same time provide protection”. — AP