To use this site, please disable the ad blocking feature and reload the page.
This website uses cookies to collect information about your visit for purposes such as showing you personalized ads and content, and analyzing our website traffic. By clicking “Accept all,” you will allow the use of these cookies.
Users accessing this site from EEA countries and UK are unable to view this site without your consent. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
STOCKHOLM (AP) — Sweden’s former chief epidemiologist, considered the architect of the country’s unconventional response to the coronavirus pandemic, isn’t going to work for the World Health Organization after all.
Sweden’s Public Health Agency reported April 20 that the WHO said “that an agreement has unfortunately not been reached” for Anders Tegnell to take on an “intended assignment” at the U.N. health agency.
Tegnell instead will return to the Swedish agency and be in charge of “international commitments.” He has been the country’s chief epidemiologist since 2014.
During the pandemic, Sweden intentionally held off imposing lockdowns and eventually tallied one of the world’s highest per capita COVID-19 death rates.
The Swedish Public Health Agency agency announced in February that Tegnell, 65, was going to work at the WHO in Geneva. The focus of the new job was global coronavirus vaccination efforts and coordinating the activities of the WHO, UNICEF and the public-private vaccine organization Gavi.
“Of course I am disappointed. We thought we had clear signs that this was going to happen,” Tegnell told Swedish tabloid Expressen.
