Vaccines, Jokkmokk Politics and LKAB Test

Region Norrbotten is vaccinating against seasonal influenza and covid-19, and in Jokkmokk the political situation is changing after a party switch. At the same time, LKAB is test-running a new facility for critical minerals in Luleå.

Vaccination against influenza and covid-19 is underway

Region Norrbotten is the regional authority responsible for healthcare in the county. Vaccination against seasonal influenza and covid-19 is now underway for the groups recommended to receive vaccines. The highest priority is given to people aged 75 and over, but also to younger people with an increased risk of serious illness.

Since August, the region has recorded a few isolated cases of influenza and some cases of covid-19. The peak of influenza usually occurs around the turn of the year. The chief medical officer for communicable diseases in Region Norrbotten says that the extent to which people in Norrbotten are affected varies from season to season. Last season, more people became seriously ill from influenza than from covid-19. NSD

Failures in psychiatric care before a man’s death

An internal investigation that SVT has seen shows several failures in the psychiatric care provided to a homeless man in Luleå, who took his own life in September 2025. The police took him to psychiatric care several times after he expressed suicidal thoughts, but the healthcare service assessed that there was no imminent suicide risk and sent him home.

According to the investigation, the man was not offered any follow-up within psychiatric outpatient care, and he was not allowed to speak to anyone about how he was feeling despite asking to do so on three occasions. The investigators are also questioning why psychiatric care did not make any report of concern or LVM notification to social services, the municipality’s department for social support. Region Norrbotten does not comment on individual patients. SVT Nyheter Norrbotten

Konsumentverket investigates the animal clinic’s terms

Konsumentverket, a government agency that examines companies’ terms and conditions in relation to consumers, is investigating Lapplands djurklinik’s cancellation terms. According to the terms, anyone cancelling a veterinary appointment less than 24 hours before the scheduled time must pay 800 kr. For operations, cancellation must take place at least 48 hours before the procedure – otherwise, a fee equivalent to 20 percent of the estimated cost is charged, but no less than 2 000 kr.

The clinic also states that cancellations made over the weekend do not apply to operations scheduled for, for example, a Monday. Konsumentverket considers that the fee for cancelled operations risks leading to unreasonable consequences for consumers, and points out that it is difficult to understand in advance how large the cost may become. Norrbottens-Kuriren

New power bloc in Jokkmokk Municipality

The Social Democrats (S), Moderates (M) and Samernas Väl have agreed to cooperate during the coming term in Jokkmokk Municipality. Together, they hold 12 of the municipal council’s 23 seats. The municipal council is the municipality’s decision-making body. Social Democrat Julia Nord Axelsson, 30, looks set to become the municipality’s new municipal commissioner, the highest political position in the municipality.

The situation has since changed: after Karin Vannar left Samernas Väl and became an independent member, there are now two coalitions with 11 seats each, according to NSD. MP, V, Framtid Jokkmokk and Karin Vannar are joining forces, while S, M and the independent Samernas Väl are forming their own bloc. The Sweden Democrats remain outside and thus have the role of kingmaker in municipal politics. All elections to committees and boards will be held by the municipal council in December. SVT Nyheter Norrbotten NSD

LKAB test-runs facility for critical minerals

Mining company LKAB has begun test-running its demonstration facility for critical minerals in Luleå. Using real material and under real-world conditions, the company will see whether the technology is suitable for a full-scale industrial park spanning 60,000 square metres. At the facility, tests are being conducted to utilise apatite concentrate from iron ore production in Malmberget, which is transported to Luleå and processed to extract, among other things, phosphoric acid, gypsum and rare earth metals.

According to LKAB, critical minerals are used in many products that people encounter in everyday life, such as mobile phones and building materials. If the project succeeds and the full-scale facility is built, it will mean up to 250 jobs in Luleå. LKAB’s director for the Special Products business area and the manager responsible for the demonstration facility also point out the risks: the process must also be cost-effective. SVT Nyheter Norrbotten

Shortage of ice time in Boden – the team trains in Älvsbyn

After the ice rink hall was dismantled, access to ice time has decreased drastically for many teams and clubs in Boden. The U13 team trains at Hive Arena, but during many of the weeks leading up to Christmas, the team has only one ice session per week. The Swedish Ice Hockey Association recommends four sessions for this age group.

To give the players more opportunities, the team therefore travels to Älvsbyn. A retiree who is the father of one of the team's coaches steps in behind the wheel as the driver. The coaches warn that the lack of ice time could lead children to quit hockey. Norrbottens-Kuriren

In brief

• A car drove off the road on route 724 between Säivis and Staffans in Haparanda municipality and caught fire – one person got out and was cared for by an ambulance, and Trafikverket assesses that traffic will be affected until 02.00. NSD
• SMHI, the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute, is warning of very strong winds and snow in the Lapland mountains – from Wednesday, the warning will be upgraded from yellow to orange and wind speeds may reach 25–30 metres per second. SVT Nyheter Norrbotten
• Kebnekaise's south peak now measures 2 088.3 metres and is thus Sweden's third highest peak, while Sarektjåkkå's main peak at 2 089 metres is the second highest. SVT Nyheter Norrbotten
• Jokkmokk won away against Rosvik in Hockeyettan Norra A with 4-7 (1-2, 3-3, 0-2) – the victory was Jokkmokk's fifth in their latest six matches. Norrbottens-Kuriren
• The property at Revisorvägen 22 in Boden has changed owner – the house is 158 square metres, was built in 1973 and the price came to 1 600 000 kr. Norrbottens-Kuriren
• A new holding company has been registered with Bolagsverket, the government agency for business registration – the company is based in Svensbyn in Piteå municipality and is to, according to its business description, own and manage securities. Piteå-Tidningen
• SPF seniorerna in Glommersträsk had a success with laughter and small talk, where the chair read a chronicle from Land with the title For your own good, beware of men with runny noses. Piteå-Tidningen