It makes sense for Norway to rush slowly with dose three of the corona vaccine. Internationally, however, there is little to enjoy.
SOLIDARITY IN THE SECOND ROW: Høie should say it as it is: When we ourselves are threatened by illness and death, solidarity comes second. Photo: NTB view more
–
Manager: This is an editorial from Dagbladet, and expresses the newspaper’s views. Dagbladet’s political editor is responsible for the editorial.
Published
–
–
The government takes a cautious step into the next phase of vaccination against covid-19. All people over 65 are advised to take a refreshing dose of the Pfizer vaccine. This happens after the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has approved the vaccine for this purpose. Before the third dose, the municipalities must prioritize this year’s flu vaccine. The goal is to ensure immunity in the part of the population that is most vulnerable when we enter the winter.
NOT OVER: Minister of Health and Care Services Bent Høie says that the pandemic is not over. People over the age of 65 now receive a dose of three corona vaccines. Video: NTB. view more
–
The National Institute of Public Health is rest assured that a refreshing dose of corona vaccine will provide good protection against the virus, but are still unsure when it should be taken. In general, there is uncertainty associated with the development of the virus and its protection against it. Several countries are now putting the third vaccine on the entire adult population. Norway is rushing slowly and will use other countries’ experiences before further extensions of the vaccination are made.
It sounds like a sensible strategy. The vaccines have had a good effect and saved millions of lives, but are also a gigantic experiment. There is uncertainty associated with each new step taken. Effects and complications can only be measured afterwards. There is a widespread belief that vaccination will be needed for many years to come. Such a situation places strong demands on medical research, ethics and political action. The landscape is unknown and it affects the lives of all people.
So far so good little reason to cheer for the global solutions. On the contrary, the use of a third dose in the rich part of the world may further aggravate the vaccine situation in many poor countries. It is already catastrophic. Less than one percent of the population in poor countries is fully vaccinated against 55 percent in rich countries, according to a report from Amnesty International. The report points out how the large pharmaceutical companies have staggering revenues, while refusing to share rights and technology.
Minister of Health Bent Høie was at the press conference on Tuesday confronted with the skewed distribution of vaccines. He pointed out that Norway finances large amounts of vaccines for poor countries, but that the government is also responsible for protecting its own population. According to Høie, it is almost an advantage for the poor that there is a low level of infection in Norway. It stimulates the worldeconomy.
That explanation is more fragile than the wings of a butterfly. Høie should say it as it is: When we ourselves are threatened by illness and death, solidarity comes second. Self-examination is the prerequisite for a good reflection on the further work against covid-19.
