Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven addresses a news conference, after parliament passed a bill giving the government the temporary power to adopt new measures to slow the COVID-19 pandemic, in Stockhom, Sweden January 8, 2021. Fredrik Sandberg/TT News A
STOCKHOLM: Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven has received his first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, he said on Tuesday, and urged Swedes to do the same when offered.
The prime minister, 64, who received both criticism and praise for Sweden's soft-touch pandemic strategy, was vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine.
"Today it was my turn to get the first dose vaccine against COVID-19. It feels incredibly good and I already look forward to receiving the second dose," he said on Facebook. "Take your chance when it comes."
Vaccine uptake has been high in Sweden, with 90% of people aged 80 and above having had a shot. Sweden has vaccinated 28% of its adult population.
Sweden has shunned lockdowns throughout the pandemic, instead largely focusing on voluntary measures to promote social distancing and good hygiene.
