During a visit to the vaccine center in the Grünerløkka district, Crown Princess Mette-Marit comes with a clear request.
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Gabriel Aas Skålevik (photo)
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– It is incredibly important that everyone is vaccinated now, not only for themselves, but also for others. I want to encourage people to take it, says Crown Princess Mette-Marit.
At the same time, she emphasizes that there are many reasons why someone has still not taken the vaccine.
– There may be health reasons, anxiety or other reasons. We must be careful about judging, but rather try to talk to people who choose not to take the vaccines, and find out why.
On Thursday, the Crown Princess visited the vaccine center in Hausmansgate in Oslo, which is located in the Grünerløkka district. During the visit, the Crown Princess heard about the experiences of those who work in the front line at the vaccine center.
– It is fantastic to come here and see how it works at the vaccine center. I’m so impressed. These are people who have been in it throughout the pandemic, says the Crown Princess, who herself has received the third dose of vaccine.
–Challenging to get staff
Also present were those who lead the work and coordination of the vaccination in the district – project manager for the vaccine center Kristine Pauline Heggdal-Moen and district chief physician Mari Skaugen Tindberg.
They say that the absolute biggest challenge they have faced is to bring in a sufficient number of qualified health personnel for the vaccine work. A very large proportion of those who are and have been employees at the vaccine centers are temporary employees.
– We scaled down sharply after dose two was set, and now a third dose will be set. At the same time, society has reopened, and many who have worked here before have found other jobs. It is challenging to get enough people in, says Skaugen Tindberg.
Even though the volunteer arms have become shorter and the population is bored, Tindberg and Heggedal-Moen boast a lot about both the people and the employees.
– Of course we have some permanent employees, but are completely dependent on the enormous efforts of the population who have volunteered to work here, says Heggedal-Moen.
– There have been constant changes in how the vaccination is to be carried out, but they are constantly adapting. There is an incredibly grateful group who work here, says Tindberg.
The Crown Princess also addressed a special thank you to all health professionals during the pandemic.
Large proportion of young people
The district Grünerløkka with around 65,000 inhabitants stands out in a special way: Here are 44,000 people – ie more than half – in the age group 18-45 years.
– It means that everyone comes at the same time, says Heggedal-Moen.
In September, around 290 doses were given per hour, and over 10,000 a week, they say.
Now the employees hope that even those who have been unsure will choose to take the vaccine. Nurse Ingunn Tilden Orvik, who works in the front line at the vaccine center, says that they expect some busy months ahead, now that a booster dose is to be given.
– At the beginning of the vaccination, things went slower, especially when there was a vaccine shortage and since we do not have such a large proportion of older residents. There have been very quiet periods with around 50 doses a day. But we know that in the time leading up to Christmas and after the New Year, there will be a lot to do.
– Do you experience that many who have not wanted to be vaccinated have changed their minds recently?
– Vaccine coverage has increased, but there are many reasons why people have not wanted to take it. Some may have been insecure and hesitant, and not quite made up their minds until now.
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