3.1. Planning services

On 5 November, the Government decided to propose an exceptional procedure for covering COVID-19 vaccination related injuries. In Finland, medicine and vaccination related injuries a covered by a voluntary insurance system provided by the Finnish Mutual Insurance Company for Pharmaceutical Injury Indemnities (20). As a usual procedure, the Company takes out reinsurance to contains its risks. For the COVID-19 vaccinations, the Government propose granting state collateral guarantee for the Company particularly in case the reinsurance is not obtainable with reasonable conditions (2).

On 17 November, the National  Advisory Committee on Vaccines (KRAR) gave a recommendation on the priority order of administering COVID-19 vaccination. According to the recommendation, vaccination should first be provided for 1) health care  personnel attending COVID-19 patients and staff working at nursing homes, 2) the elderly, and 3) persons who have conditions predisposing to severe COVID-19 disease. While the vaccination will be delivered to Finland in several batches, the priority vaccination order within these groups will be defined later based on detail information on the protective power and safety of the vaccinations in different target groups (3).

On 10th December, the Government approved the COVID-19 vaccination strategy prepared by the MSAH. The aim of the strategy is to provide protection against COVID-19 to the whole population and vaccines will be offered free of charge to anyone who does not have contraindications on health grounds. Municipalities are responsible of organising the vaccinations in their areas. They are recommended to co-operate with hospital districts in the logistics and also with occupational health care units and private sector in the actual administration of the vaccines. Hospital districts coordinate the vaccination arrangements for the social and health care personnel. THL guides the hospital districts concerning the logistic of the vaccination. The strategy confirmed the previously mentioned priority order of vaccine administration, that is based on a medical risk evaluation and it will be revised after the vaccines are available. The current plan is to vaccinate first social and health care personnel during February and March 2021, since the first available vaccine will most likely be the vaccine of BioNTech-Pfizer, that requires special cold chain arrangements which can be provided in large social and health care facilities. The order and arrangements to vaccinate the next priority groups will be specified after other vaccine options and more information is available. (4)

Physicians are responsible for the vaccination operations planning and implementation. Health professionals, such as physicians, and nurses, public health nurses and midwives who have received the adequate vaccination training, are tasked with administrating jabs. (14) THL has determined the qualifications for health care professionals to be able to administer vaccinations and maintains a national online vaccination training that is often included in the education of health care professionals. (15) In addition, THL organized a free online training for health care professionals on COVID-19 vaccines on December 16, 2020 and a recording of the training is available afterwards. The training deals with researched information on COVID-19 vaccines, vaccination orders, distribution of vaccines, mRNA vaccine, implementation of vaccination, the recording of vaccinations and the transfer of information. (5) 

The vaccinations began on 27 of December. According to the vaccination strategy, the vaccine is first provided to the health care staff treating COVID-19 patients and to the personnel working in nursing homes. On 12 of January THL announced that the health care personnel treating COVID-19 patients and other health care professionals that have a high risk of providing care to infected patients have been vaccinated extensively. The vaccinations have now been extended to the nursing homes and are given both to personnel and residents. There has been a lot of public debate around the slow start of vaccinations in comparison to other comparable countries (e.g. Denmark). The officials have stated that delays are due to the pace of importing the vaccines being slower than predicted. THL also noted that the data on the number of people vaccinated are not entirely up to date because of slow reporting by the organisations responsible for implementing the vaccination programme. To speed up the vaccinations, THL changed its recommendation on storing vaccines for the second dose and now recommends that all doses are distributed as quickly as possible. 

In addition, MSAH gave further guidance to the local authorities on organising the vaccinations and emphasized the immediate administration of the vaccines after their arrival to the local regions and the importance of entering the information of given vaccines in the electronic medical record system according to the national guidelines in order for THL to be able monitor the implementation of vaccinations (6) As of Jan 18, 2021, THL reports daily on the progress of the vaccination. Progress is reported by hospital districts, municipalities (from 1.2.2021 forward) and age group as well as publishing the cumulative number of vaccines by date of vaccination. (8) THL administrates the national vaccination registry that is used to monitor the progress, effectiveness and safety of the vaccinations(4). Finnish Medicine Agency (FIMEA) publishes information on the suspected adverse effects of the COVID-19 vaccines.(20)

 The public are informed about the practical arrangements of the vaccinations in the municipality’s and hospital district’s web pages and often also in several medias such as newspapers and social media. Different channels of communication, such as letters, phone calls, sms messages, are used as appropriate to inform individuals of the vaccination schedule to ensure that vaccinations are offered to everyone. Vaccinations are given by appointment which can be made either electronically or by phone. (18,19) The Helsinki-Uusimaa Hospital District has launched a self-service reservation system for the vaccinations, and it is implemented in the Uusimaa region. In the mid-January the system was introduced for health and social care professionals to make appointments. It is aimed to be open for the rest of the region’s population at the end of January, when the vaccinations for the elderly and those at risk begin. (7) Also several other regions have self-service reservation systems. 

Vaccinations are administrated in social and health care facilities and also in homes for the customers of home care. In addition, several regions are prepared for mass vaccinations. Espoo and Vantaa will start mass vaccinations during the week 4 and Helsinki during the week 5 (9). City of Tampere has announced as well that mass vaccinations will start in February in one facility with the capacity to vaccinate 10 000 local residents in a week (10).

Older people are vaccinated with the mRNA-vaccines and vaccinations are offered from the oldest age groups to the youngest. The vaccination of the persons aged over 80 years has started in January and in many municipalities also the vaccination of the persons aged between 75 to 79 years of age start in the middle of February. The vaccinations for older people living in care homes are expected to be completed during February. (13) The Moderna vaccines are often offered to older persons living in remote areas due to the less demanding storage conditions compared to the BioNtech-Pfizer vaccines. (16,17)

On 3rd February, the National Advisory Committee on Vaccines (KRAR) gave a recommendation to prolong the interval between coronavirus vaccine doses to 12 weeks due the prevailing epidemic situation. Also, the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine is recommended for now to be restricted to those under the age of 70. (11) Due to the recommendation those under the age of 70 with comorbidities that put them in higher risk of COVID-19 complications are vaccinated alongside older age groups.(13) On 10th March 2021, the National Advisory Committee on Vaccines stated that the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine can be administrated also to people 70 years of age and older (21). On 13th March, Fimea and THL recommended continuing the national corona vaccination program with all marketed corona vaccines, including AstraZeneca's vaccine, for the time being. THL and Fimea monitor the situation closely and investigate the possible connection between the thrombosis risk and the corona vaccination. (22) On 20th March, 2021, THL suspended the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine after Fimea reported two cases of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis within 4-10 days of receiving the AstraZeneca vaccines. (26) THL decided to resume the use on March 29, limiting it to those aged 65 and over and continue the investigations of the possible causal pathway between the vaccination and the disease. (27)

THL published a priority sequence for risk groups for coronavirus vaccinations to determine the order in which vaccines are offered to persons under the age of 70 with different underlying illnesses. The decisions are based on Finnish research material on COVID-19 patients in Finland. Risk groups are divided into two:
Group 1: Persons with an illness or condition that poses an extremely high risk of severe coronavirus disease.
- Organ transplant or stem cell transplant
- Cancer under active treatment
- A severe disturbance of the body's defence system
- A serious chronic renal illness
- A serious chronic pulmonary illness
- Type 2 diabetes involving drug therapy
- Down syndrome (adults)
Group 2: Persons with an illness or condition that poses a risk of severe coronavirus disease.
- Asthma requiring continuous medication
- Severe cardiac disease, including insufficiency (but not hypertension)
- Stroke or other neurological illness 
- Respiratory conditions
- Pharmaceutical treatment for autoimmune disease that weakens immune defences
- Severe chronic liver disease
- Type 1 diabetes or adrenal insufficiency
- Severe sleep apnoea
- Psychosis
- Morbid obesity (body mass index 40 or more) (12)

In the beginning of March 2021 vaccinations have proceeded to the vaccination of adult population in the risk group 1 in several areas. By 17th March, 75 % of the population aged over 80 years and 11,4 % of the whole population had received first dose of the vaccine. (23)

On 10th March 2021, MSAH issued a recommendation for municipal health authorities to administer COVID-19 vaccinations for persons without residence right in Finland. In addition to  EU and EEA and Swiss residents the recommendation also includes students from third countries, diplomats, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants. The recommendation is in line with the earlier MSAH recommendations on free COVID-19 testing and necessary care for persons without Finnish residence right issued on August 26, 2020. (24, 25)

THL published first preliminary results on the effectiveness of coronavirus vaccines. The results are based on a register study conducted by THL. According to the results the vaccination reduced the number of severe coronavirus diseases that require hospital treatment by an average of 74% in the elderly and 84 % in the risk groups. Findings are in line with international results. (28) By April 12th, 2020, 20 % of the whole population of Finland has received the first dose of the vaccine and 1,7 % has received the second dose of the vaccine. (29)

On April 16, 2021, the Government amended the decree on voluntary COVID-19 vaccinations. The amendment specifies the current order of priority for the vaccinations and expands the group of people authorized to administer the vaccines. After the main priority groups have had an opportunity to receive the vaccine, the vaccines will be administrated to the rest of the population by age group in descending order starting from 60-69-year-olds to 50-59-year-olds and so forth. In addition, a temporary amendment in force until May 31, 2021, enables the vaccines to be targeted by region. More vaccines will be distributed to those hospital districts where at least 100 new cases per 100 000 inhabitants have been reported in the 14 days preceding the distribution of the vaccine batches. Further allocation of the vaccines to these hospital districts will be based on the size of the district population, the number of COVID-19 cases in the previous 14 days and the number of patients in specialized health care in the previous 14 days. This allocation is possible if all people over 70 years of age and those belonging to a risk group in the region have had the opportunity to receive their first dose of the vaccine. Moreover, the targeted allocation should not prevent a person from receiving their second dose of the vaccine.  Furthermore, the amendment expanded the authority to administer the vaccines to dentists, and also to medical/nursing students under the supervision. (30)

On April 21st THL stated that in future, the mRNa vaccines may also be given to persons aged between 65 to 69 years upon requests if majority of the population belonging to the risk groups have received their vaccine. Until now, this age group has mainly received AstraZeneca vaccine. People aged below 65 years of age and who have received the AstraZeneca as their first dose of corona vaccine, will receive a mRNA vaccine as their second dose (31). 

On April 23rd THL made an adjustment to the instructions guiding the corona vaccination order of social and health care personnel, to ensure the patient’s statutory right to access urgent care. The adjustment concerns personnel working in acute care, in example acute psychiatry units, on-call child protection units, emergency units, labor wards, and units providing emergency operations. A limited number of this personnel can be vaccinated according to the assessment of the region. So far over 25% of the population of Finland have received their first corona vaccine dose. (32)

In May 2021, vaccinations have proceeded to the population aged 45 years of age and older in many regions and 35% of the whole population has received their first dose and 4% have received their second vaccine dose by May 11th (33). THL started publishing the information on the number of given vaccines by product from May 5th forward (34).  THL also informed that the vaccinations have been targeted regionally according to the epidemic situation for the first time and extra batches of the Moderna vaccines have been distributed to the hospital district of Päijät-Häme where the incidence at that moment was 108 infections per 100,000 inhabitants per 14 days (35). Vaccines have also been targeted to Southwest Finland, where the incidence of infections exceeded the threshold of 100 infection per 100,000 inhabitants per 14 days. (36)

THL revised their guidelines regarding the corona vaccines on May 18th. From then on, persons over 65 and over may also receive a mRNA vaccine as the second dose even if the first dose has been the AstraZeneca vaccine. Preconditions are that majority of the persons belonging to the risk groups have been vaccinated and mRNA vaccines are available. AstraZeneca vaccine is not offered to people under 65. In the case of AstraZeneca vaccine, the interval between two doses is 8 to 12 weeks. The interval between doses of mRNA vaccines remains to be 12 weeks, and it will be assessed again when all persons 16 years and older have had the opportunity to receive the first dose of the vaccine. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine will not be added to the vaccine programme of Finland for the time being. (37)

Slowing down of the vaccination rate has been detected in several areas where population below the age of 50 became eligible (38,39). This may be due to lack of time / opportunity to get vaccination during working hours (40). The hospital district of Pirkanmaa and several employees’ confederations have encouraged employers to promote vaccination opportunities and enable the vaccination during working hours (41,42,43). Vaccinations are also administrated during evenings and weekends, but in limited amount. 

According to research conducted in two nursing homes by THL, the protective efficacy of the coronavirus vaccines, especially against virus variants, may be lower among people in frail health than among vaccine recipients on average. Results emphasize the importance of the second dose for developing an optimal protection against COVID-19. (44)

The city of Tampere has set a waiting list for the residents who would need the corona vaccines on accelerated schedule due to departure to work assignment abroad or study exchange. Those on the list need to be ready to arrive to the vaccination facility at a moment’s notice, as they will be called and offered vaccination if extra vaccines remain at the end of the day. The interval between the two doses cannot be accelerated from the current 12 weeks. (45)

On June 3rd THL revised their recommendations for coronavirus vaccinations. New recommendations state that those who are pregnant may be vaccinated against coronavirus if they wish. Moreover from now on corona vaccines can also be taken together with other vaccines in accordance with normal vaccine guidelines. (46)

By June 18th, more than half (54%, 3 million) of the total population of Finland has received their first dose of the corona vaccine. Vaccine coverage for the first dose in the population over 60 years of age is almost 90%, and for population aged 50 to 59 years of age it is over 80%. The coverage for the second dose in the total population is 14%. It is estimated that if 90% of the population over 16 years of age is willing to take the vaccine, they will have an opportunity to get the first dose no later than August (47) The vaccinations have proceeded in many cities to the population over the age of 16 (48). Moreover, on June 17th THL gave a recommendation to vaccinate persons between 12 to 16 years of age and who belong to the risk groups. This age group could receive the BioNTech-Pfizer Comirnaty vaccine. (49) On 24 June THL proposed expanding the COVID-19 vaccination to all aged between 12 and 15 years of age. Even though the disease is usually mild for young people the indirect effects of the epidemic such as restrictions and quarantines are however considerable, and effect young people’s lives. THL has made a statement to the MSAH on this matter and a decision will be made by MSAH and the Finnish Government. (50) MSAH has implemented a hearing of the amendment to the decree on the voluntary COVID-19 vaccinations, to enable the vaccination of population aged between 12 and 15 years of age. (55)

Finland has surpassed the aim set by the European Union to vaccinate 70 percent of the adult population on 30th of June when 72 percentage of the adult population had received their first corona vaccine dose. Of the total population 58 percent have received their first dose and 18 percent their second dose. (51)

As the vaccinations have proceeded to younger population the vaccination rate has remained good. Almost half of the population aged between 20 years of age to 29 years of age have received their first vaccination. 74 percent of the population aged over 16 years of age have received their first vaccine and 27 percent their second vaccine.(52) Some cities have implemented walk-in vaccinations where reservation is not required to increase the accessibility of the vaccinations. Not having a digital bank id has been recognized as a barrier to access the vaccinations. (53) The cities of Helsinki, Vantaa and Espoo and the Helsinki University Hospital launched a campaign to promote the vaccine rate among younger population. The campaign is implemented in social media and social media influencers are participating in it. Currently most of the new COVID-19 cases in the capital area are detected among the young adults.(54)

On Aug 5th the government amended the decree on coronavirus vaccination to enable the vaccination of all those aged 12 years or over. The decree entered into force on Aug 9th and the vaccination of persons aged between 12 to 15 years started in schools and health centers. Minors can decide themselves whether to receive the vaccine if a health care professional considers that they are able to decide themself based on their age and level of development. Otherwise, the consent of the guardian is required for the vaccination decision.  Persons in this age group can be vaccinated with Biontech-Pfizer Comirnaty vaccine or Moderna Spikevaxx vaccine. THL held an online public event on children’s coronavirus vaccinations on Aug 12th. (56) On Aug 12th THL gave a recommendation to take the corona vaccine also during pregnancy due to the delta virus which has increased the risk of severe disease also in pregnant persons. (57)

By Aug 13th nearly 70% of the population had received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccination. The vaccination of those aged between 12 to 15 have proceeded well with 30 000 vaccines administrated. Of the population over the age of 16 more than 80% have received their first dose and of these 60% have received their second dose as well. (58) During the summer different approaches to increase the vaccine coverage have been used. For example, the city of Turku organized pop-up vaccination sites for students and administrating vaccines for parents in maternal and childcare clinics. (59)

By Aug 20th almost 80% of the population over 12 years of age, have received their first dose and over 50% have received their second dose of the corona vaccine. Of the whole population 70 % have received the first dose and 45% have been fully vaccinated. (60) Inquiry of THL shows that fully vaccinated persons are very rarely affected by severe COVID-19 in Finland. Results show that 56 out of 100 000 fully vaccinated people have been infected with COVID-19 and approximately two out of 100 000 fully vaccinated people suffered from severe COVID-19 that required hospital treatment. (61)

On 17th September THL instructed municipalities to offer third vaccine doses to people with severe immune deficiency. Third dose can be given when at least two months have passed since receiving the second dose. (62) (63) Moreover, on 21st September, THL gave instructions to offer third vaccine doses also to people who received their corona vaccines with dose interval of less than 6 weeks in the beginning of the vaccinations. This group includes especially social and health care personnel treating either COVID-19 patients or vulnerable populations. For this group the third vaccine can be given when at least 6 months have passed since the second vaccine. As a precaution the third vaccines will not be offered yet to males under the age of 30 years due to insufficient information on the risk of rare myocarditis in third-dose recipients. (64, 65) 

On 1 October 2021, over 70 % of the population over 12 years of age have received two corona vaccine doses. (66) Especially younger population under the age of 40, have not been as active to get the vaccines as the older population (67). Therefore, many health officials are disseminating information of COVID-19 and the vaccines especially to this population group (68,69). Furthermore, vaccination sites are brought closer to the public to make them more accessible and facilitating the process of getting the vaccine (73). One example of this is bringing the vaccination sites to workplaces. The aim is also to reach populations who might have barriers to receive information, such as migrant workers. (70) Some municipalities and companies are also implementing incentives such as 20 euros vouchers to local businesses or articles of daily use to encourage people to get fully vaccinated (71)

The Government granted consent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to assign COVID-19 vaccinations without remuneration through the EU Member State Coordinators to the Vaccine Alliance Gavi for the COVAX AMC mechanism. Finland will donate approximately 3 million Astra Zeneca vaccine doses and 650 00 Johnson & Johnson vaccine doses. (72)

On 7th September, THL gave a recommendation to give only Comirnaty (Pfizer/BoiNtech) vaccine to men under the age of 30 years. The use of Spikevax (Moderna) among this population will be suspended since according to the recent research the relative occurrence of myocardial inflammation is higher for Spikevax vaccines compared to Comirnaty vaccine, and the risk of myocardial inflammation after the vaccination is higher in young men than in women. (74)

Clusters of COVID-19 cases have been detected in several municipalities among migrant workers and in some cases the infected needed hospital and ICU care. THL recommends the employers in addition to ensuring safe working conditions to encourage their employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine and to conduct effective testing and regular screening with antigen or PCR tests. Migrant workers can get the vaccine from the municipality where they work. (75)

Helsinki University Hospital (HUS) announced that they will publish the COVID-19 vaccine coverage of the patients who have been admitted to hospital care due to COVID-19. The number of COVID-19 patients have increased in the end of September and beginning of October 2021. (76) HUS also published a theoretical estimation of the cost of care needed by COVID-19 patients in Finland in the following years. It is estimated according to the current vaccination coverage, that the cost of care for the unvaccinated persons could be 1 billion euros. The cost of the treatment for long-COVID is not included to the estimation. So far, the average cost of the treatment of COVID-19 patient in HUS has been 16 338 euros. (77)

On 19th Oct 2021 THL recommended offering a third coronavirus vaccine dose to those over 60 years of age, those living in institutions and care homes, and those in medical risk groups 1 and 2. The third dose can be given after six months have passed since the second dose. Also, persons belonging to these groups and who have recovered from COVID-19 and due to that have received only one dose, may be offered a second dose after six months have passed from either the coronavirus infection or the previous dose of the vaccine, which ever was the most recent. (78) On 22nd Oct THL informed that also persons who have recovered from COVID-19 and are under the age of 60, may get the second dose if seen necessary for travelling or other reasons. (79)

On 14 Oct 2021, THL announced that the use of AstraZeneca Vaxzevria vaccine will end in Finland on 30th Nov when the current Vaxzevria vaccines expire. Furthermore, the Janssen coronavirus vaccines became available in Finland at the end of October 2021 and may be offered to those over the age of 65 years of age and for those aged between 18 and 65 years and who have medical contraindication of receiving a mRNA vaccine. Nevertheless, the same safety considerations that were applied to Vaxzevria will be applied to the Janssen vaccine. Therefore, Janssen vaccine is not generally offered to those under the age of 65 due to the very rare risk of thrombosis. For the time being THL recommends a booster vaccine six months after the first dose in the case the vaccines series were started with the Janssen vaccine. (80)

THL has been monitoring vaccination programme in Finland and according to their report there are variations in the COVID-19 vaccination coverage in Finland both regionally and based on age, gender and native language. Regionally the vaccine coverage is higher in Eastern Finland than in Western Finland and the coverage varies widely in the hospital district and municipality level. The differences are partly explained by the demographics of the areas. For example, older age groups have received the vaccines earlier and also have been more eager to take them. There is higher vaccination coverage among the native speakers compared to population whose native language is not Finnish, Swedish and Sámi. Nevertheless, the latter population group is very heterogenic and the age structure in this group is significantly younger, thus there are diverse underlying factors that affect the vaccination coverage of that group. Majority (75%) of the unvaccinated are native speakers of Finnish and Sámi. Furthermore, the vaccine coverage is similar or better among the health care workers than working-age people as a whole. (81)

In the beginning of October 2021 THL started to report daily the information on third vaccination dose uptake. (82) The vaccination coverage of 80 percent among those 12 years and over for two doses of the coronavirus vaccine was achieved on 11th October 2021. All in all, more than 8 million coronavirus doses have been administered in Finland. More than 85 percent of those aged 12 and over have received the first dose. (83)

THL study, released at the end of 2021, showed that the vaccine protection against a severe COVID-19 remained strong for 6 months after the second dose. The study analysed immunization in health care workers who received either mRNA, adenovirus vector or a mixed vaccine series between December 2020 and October 2021. Weakening of vaccine protection appeared to be similar across all series. Further analyses are made on the possible differences on effectiveness of different intervals between the first and second dose which varied from 3 to 12 weeks. (84)
 
On 18th November 2021, THL suggested that third vaccination doses (6 months after the second dose) should be given to those social and health care workers who work with people in risk groups for severe COVID-19 as well as to other HCWs. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and THL will evaluate possible needs changes regulation. (85)
 
Vaccination rates vary strongly between professional groups. According to a Helsinki Graduate School of Economics report based on THL records and incomes register the vaccination coverage was lowest in the construction sector where over 23 % of the personnel was unvaccinated. Other male-dominated sector also had low rates of vaccine coverage. Age distribution and the proportion of persons who speak a foreign language can account for the differences. In social and health care sector nurses working in social or mental health field have the lowest vaccine coverage. Discussion has been taking place on the causes of vaccination hesitancy and ways to improve vaccination coverage. (87, 88) THL vaccination expert underlined that priority should be increasing coverage for the 1st and second dose, suggesting that vaccinating children over 12 years old and giving third dose is secondary. The statement is based on Acip calculations of vaccines needed to take to prevent one hospitalization. The National Advisory Committee on Vaccines (KRAR) is to adopt a recommendation on extending the third dose of the vaccine and vaccination of children under 12 years of age on 1st December. (89)

On 2nd Dec THL recommended that third vaccine doses will be offered to all aged 18 or over. Furthermore, the booster vaccine can now be offered earliest 5 months after the second dose for all to whom it is recommended, excluding patients with severe immunodeficiency, who may get the booster two months after the second dose. Furthermore, also men under the age of 30 can now be offered Comirnaty as the third vaccine. Nevertheless, THL emphasizes that third doses for older people and those in risk groups need to be prioritized as well increasing the coverage of the first and second doses. (90) In addition, vaccines are recommended to be offered for at-risk children aged 5 to 11 years and children who are in contact with severely immunodeficient persons. Children of this age group will be administered the BioNTech-Phizer’s Comirnaty vaccine that is specifically intended for this age group and the vaccines will be offered as soon as they are available. Further information on safety, particularly on rare adverse effects, is needed to extend the vaccines to the entire age group since their burden of the disease is considered small. (91) On 15th Dec THL published a list of the high-risk groups for children. Vaccines may now be offered to children aged 5 to 11 years in the following groups (92): 
• an organ transplant or a stem cell transplant
• a treatment with a strong immunosuppressive effect or severe immune deficiency 
• chronic pulmonary diseases
• some paediatric cardiac illnesses
• chronic renal disease
• severe chronic liver disease
• obesity: ISO-BMI at least 30
• paediatric neurological conditions involving respiratory insufficiency, and/or increased sensitivity to infections
• Down's syndrome
• type 1 and 2 diabetes
• asthma that requires medication regularly

Pop up and walk-in vaccination sites have been popular in several regions in December 2021. It is estimated that the implementation of the COVID-19 passport and shortening the time required between second and third doses has increased the vaccination uptake (93, 94). Furthermore, yet novel ways of organizing vaccinations, for example administering vaccines during other visits to health care such as oral health services, have been implemented. (95)

On 16th Dec the Government amended the section 1 of the Government Decree on Voluntary COVID-19 vaccinations to increase the opportunities for occupational healthcare to participate in COVID-19 vaccine rollout and to release municipalities’ resources to other tasks. The aim is also to promote the booster vaccine coverage in the working age population. (96)

On 17th Dec THL revised their recommendation on the required time between the second and the third vaccine dose due to the new information on the omicron variant.  According to the new recommendation, persons over the age of 60 and persons belonging to the risk groups the third dose may be offered after 3 to 4 months have passed since the second dose. The time requirement for persons between 18 to 60 years of age who do not belong to risk groups, is 4 to 6 months. (97)  

On 22nd Dec 2021 the Government amended the decree on voluntary COVID-19 vaccinations. Now biomedical laboratory scientists and practical nurses with sufficient knowledge and appropriate vaccination training may administer corona vaccines. Moreover, vaccines will be offered to everyone aged 5 years and over, and the order of vaccination priority will be abandoned. (98)

On 22nd December 2021 THL updated the recommendation for a second vaccine dose for those who have previously had COVID-19. People over 60 years of age or who belong to a risk group for severe COVID-19 are recommended to take a vaccination 3 to 4 months after the disease or the first dose. All people over 18 years are recommended to take a second dose 4 to 6 months after the disease or the first dose. Previously a booster was only recommended for the risk groups and people over 60 years. The second dose for people who have experienced Sars-CoV-2 infection is regarded to be equal to a third vaccine dose. For those who have severely low immune response and who have had COVID-19, THL recommends a third vaccine dose. (99) In addition, THL recommends a fourth vaccine dose 3 to 4 months after the third dose for those who have severely low immune response and have not had COVID-19. (100)

The amount of reimbursement for COVID-19 vaccinations administered by occupational healthcare is raised from 10th January 2022 until 30th June 2022 from 10 € to 16 €. The amendment aims to facilitate access to COVID-19 vaccination for people entitled to occupational health services and give employers better opportunities to provide COVID-19 vaccination through occupational healthcare. The municipalities remain in charge of vaccinating their residents but are also obliged to determine the possibilities of local occupational healthcare providers to participate in vaccinations. (101)

Since 2021 and for 2022 at least, the Government covers COVID-19-vaccine-related injuries through the Finnish Mutual Insurance Company for Pharmaceutical Injury Indemnities scheme. (102) 

In January 2022, THL added detail to its recommendation on vaccinations for persons who have had COVID-19. The first dose of the vaccine can be administered to unvaccinated persons aged 18 and over as soon as two months after they have had the disease. Those aged under 18 can get a COVID-19 vaccination four to six months after having had the disease. (103) The vaccination for children between 5 and 11 years has started from January 2022. Finland has received 360 000 doses of Comirnaty vaccine for children, and more will be coming in March. Children are vaccinated with the second dose with the same 6-12 week interval as adults. Consent of a carer is needed to vaccinate children of this age group. (104)

In Helsinki and Uusimaa hospital district more Moderna mRNA vaccine is given as a third dose due to high demand of vaccines. Thus, more Pfizer Comirnaty can be safeguarded to men under 30 years to whom Moderna’s vaccine is not recommended. (105)

THL has added pregnancy to the list of conditions that add to the risk of severe COVID-19 disease after consulting with the National Advisory Committee on Vaccines (KRAR). (106)

Finland has taken part to the EU’s joint vaccines procurement programme to ensure the availability of the corona vaccines in the country and is now receiving more vaccines than is needed domestically. Finland has also committed to international vaccine solidarity and donates excess vaccines through the EU Member State Coordinators to the Vaccine Alliance Gavi for the COVAX AMC mechanism or bilaterally, e.g. through the Union Civil Protection Mechanism. (107) 


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References
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4. Finnish Government (10/12/2020) https://valtioneuvosto.fi/paatokset/paatos?decisionId=0900908f806f5df6 
5. THL (8/12/2020) https://thl.fi/fi/web/infektiotaudit-ja-rokotukset/-/kohti-koronaviruksia-verkkokoulutus-16.12.2020 
6. Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (15/1/2021) https://stm.fi/-/stm-ohjeistaa-kuntia-ja-kuntayhtymia-antaman-covid-19-rokotteet-viipymatta-rokotustiedot-tallennettava-sahkoiseen-potilastietojarjestelmaan
7. HUS (14/1/2021) https://www.hus.fi/ajankohtaista/husin-tuottama-koronarokotusten-ajanvarausjarjestelma-avattu-sote-ammattilaisille
8. THL (18/1/2021) https://thl.fi/fi/-/thl-raportoi-koronarokotusten-edistymisesta-vastedes-paivittain?redirect=%2Ffi%2Fweb%2Finfektiotaudit-ja-rokotukset%2Fajankohtaista%2Fajankohtaista-koronaviruksesta-covid-19%3Fgclid%3DCjwKCAiA6aSABhApEiwA6Cbm_6Nx6hWnZMC-LmtO75yMKYPn8DJtdwuC8phfnz83rwwkvNhEgyrT8hoCS5QQAvD_BwE
9. Helsingin Sanomat (22/1/2021) https://www.hs.fi/kaupunki/art-2000007757609.html
10. City of Tampere (22/1/2021) https://www.tampere.fi/tampereen-kaupunki/ajankohtaista/tiedotteet/2021/01/22012021_5.html 
11. THL (4/2/2021) https://thl.fi/en/web/thlfi-en/-/expert-group-on-vaccines-recommends-longer-gap-between-coronavirus-vaccinations-and-giving-astrazeneca-vaccine-to-those-under-70 
12. THL (1/2/2021) https://thl.fi/fi/-/thl-laajentaa-koronarokotusten-seurantasivustoa-maanantaista-alkaen-saatavilla-tieto-rokotusten-etenemisesta-kunnittain?redirect=%2Ffi%2F
13. THL (16/2/2020) https://thl.fi/fi/-/ikaantyneiden-ja-riskiryhmien-koronarokotukset-etenevat-rinnakkain?redirect=%2Ffi%2F 
14. The Finnish Government (22/12/2020) https://valtioneuvosto.fi/paatokset/paatos?decisionId=0900908f806f9712
15. THL (26/3/2020) https://thl.fi/fi/web/infektiotaudit-ja-rokotukset/tietoa-rokotuksista/rokotusosaamisen-osoittaminen
16. Tampere University Hospital (17/2/2021) https://www.tays.fi/fi-FI/Sairaanhoitopiiri/Koronavirus_COVID19/Usein_kysyttyja_kysymyksia_koronarokotuk(121941) 
17. YLE (3/2/2021) https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-11769027
18. City of Helsinki (22/2/2021) https://www.hel.fi/uutiset/fi/sosiaali-ja-terveysvirasto/tekstiviesti-55-64-vuotiaille-sairautensa-vuoksi-riskiryhmaan-kuuluville-helsinkilaisille
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24. https://stm.fi/-/kuntainfo-covid-19-rokotuksia-suositellaan-henkiloille-joilla-ei-ole-kotikuntaa-suomessa
25. MSAH  https://stm.fi/se/-/yhdenvertainen-koronatestiin-paasy-turvataan-myos-kotikunnattomille-henkiloille
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27. THL (24/3/2021) https://thl.fi/fi/-/astrazenecan-koronarokotteen-kayttoa-jatketaan-65-vuotta-tayttaneilla-haittavaikutusten-mahdollisuutta-nuoremmilla-selvitetaan-edelleen?redirect=%2Ffi%2F
28. THL (31/3/2021) https://thl.fi/en/web/thlfi-en/-/first-estimates-of-the-effectiveness-of-covid-19-vaccines-have-been-received-vaccinations-have-reduced-cases-leading-to-hospital-treatment
29. THL (12/4/2021) https://www.thl.fi/episeuranta/rokotukset/koronarokotusten_edistyminen.html
30. The Finnish Government (16/4/2021) https://valtioneuvosto.fi/-/1271139/rokotusjarjestysta-tasmennetaan-muutoksia-myos-rokotusten-antamisoikeuteen?languageId=en_US  
31. THL (21/4/2021) https://thl.fi/fi/-/mrna-koronarokotteita-voidaan-antaa-toukokuusta-lahtien-kaikille-rokotettaville-ikaryhmille-astrazenecan-rokotteen-ikaraja-pysyy-ennallaan?redirect=%2Ffi%2F
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33. THL (11/5/2021) https://www.thl.fi/episeuranta/rokotukset/koronarokotusten_edistyminen.html  
34. THL (3/5/2021) https://thl.fi/fi/-/rokoteannostiedot-ovat-nyt-saatavilla-valmistekohtaisesti?redirect=%2Ffi%2F
35. THL (11/5/2021) https://thl.fi/fi/-/koronarokotteita-kohdennettu-paijat-hameeseen-alueen-epidemiatilanteen-vaikeuduttua?redirect=%2Ffi%2F 
36. THL (14/5/2021) https://thl.fi/fi/-/koronarokotteita-kohdennetaan-alueellisesti-paijat-hameeseen-ja-varsinais-suomeen?redirect=%2Ffi%2F 
37. THL (18/5/2021) https://thl.fi/fi/-/thl-on-antanut-linjaukset-koronarokotteiden-annosvaleista-ja-mrna-ja-adenovirusvektorirokotteiden-kaytosta-eri-ikaryhmilla-
38. Aamulehti, Ylipiessa, M. (21/5/2021) https://www.aamulehti.fi/koronavirus/art-2000007993221.html  
39. Helsingin Sanomat, Perttu, J. (14/5/2021) https://www.hs.fi/kaupunki/art-2000007976815.html
40. THL (21/5/2021) https://thl.fi/fi/-/tutkimus-aikuisten-koronarokotushalukkuuteen-vaikuttavat-tekijat-vaihtelevat-ikaryhmittain?redirect=%2Ffi%2F
41. Pirkanmaa Hospital District (19/5/2021) https://www.tays.fi/fi-FI/Riskiryhmalaiset_rokotettu_lahes_kokonaa(129550)
42. The Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (17/5/2021) https://www.sak.fi/ajankohtaista/uutiset/sak-akava-ja-sttk-koronarokotteen-ottaminen-laskettava-palkalliseksi-tyoajaksi
43. Finlex Read 25/5/2021 https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/2016/20161227#L1
44. THL (4/6/2021) https://thl.fi/en/web/thlfi-en/-/efficacy-of-coronavirus-vaccines-against-virus-variants-may-be-lower-among-people-in-frail-health-than-among-others
45. City of Tampere (1/6/2021) https://www.tampere.fi/tampereen-kaupunki/ajankohtaista/tiedotteet/2021/06/01062021_4.html 
46. THL (3/672021) https://thl.fi/en/web/thlfi-en/-/new-recommendations-for-coronavirus-vaccinations-pregnant-women-may-take-a-coronavirus-vaccine-if-they-wish 
47. THL (18/6/2021) https://thl.fi/fi/-/talla-viikolla-3-miljoonaa-suomessa-asuvaa-on-saanut-ensimmaisen-koronarokoteannoksen-rokotteita-saapuu-maahan-runsaasti-loppukuun-aikana?redirect=%2Ffi%2F 
48. Yle, Niinistö M. & Malminen U. (21/6/2021) https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-11990835
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50. THL (30/6/2021) https://thl.fi/en/web/thlfi-en/-/thl-proposes-expanding-coronavirus-vaccinations-to-all-aged-12-15
51. THL (30/6/2021) https://thl.fi/fi/-/suomi-on-ylittanyt-eu-n-70-prosentin-koronarokotustavoitteen-18-vuotta-tayttaneilla?redirect=%2Ffi%2F
52. THL (9/7/2021) https://thl.fi/fi/-/melkein-puolet-20-29-vuotiaista-on-saanut-ensimmaisen-koronarokotuksen?redirect=%2Ffi%2F
53. YLE, Mansikka H. (10/7/2021) https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-12016492
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56. THL (6/8/2021) https://thl.fi/en/web/thlfi-en/-/municipalities-may-begin-coronavirus-vaccinations-of-all-12-15-year-olds 
57. THL (12/8/2021) https://thl.fi/fi/-/thl-suosittelee-koronarokotusta-raskaana-oleville-viruksen-deltamuunnos-on-kasvattanut-vakavan-taudin-riskia-odottavilla?redirect=%2Ffi%2F 
58. THL (13/8/2021) https://thl.fi/fi/-/rokotukset-etenevat-hyvin-nuoret-hakeneet-aktiivisesti-ensimmaisia-rokotuksiaan?redirect=%2Ffi%2F
59. City of Turku (6/8/2021) https://www.turku.fi/uutinen/2021-08-06_rokotteen-ottaminen-entistakin-tarkeampaa-12-15-vuotiaiden-koronarokotukset 
60. THL (30/8/2021) https://thl.fi/fi/-/nuorten-rokotukset-hyvassa-vauhdissa-ensi-viikolla-maahan-ennatysmaara-rokotteita?redirect=%2Ffi%2F 
61. THL (30/8/2021) https://thl.fi/en/web/thlfi-en/-/double-vaccinated-persons-very-rarely-affected-by-severe-covid-19-disease-cases-requiring-hospital-care-occurring-mostly-in-the-elderly 
62. THL (1/9/2021) https://thl.fi/fi/-/thl-ehdottaa-kolmatta-koronarokoteannosta-rajatuille-ryhmille-muun-vaeston-osalta-tilannetta-arvioidaan-syksyn-aikana?redirect=%2Ffi%2F 
63. https://thl.fi/en/web/thlfi-en/-/thl-instructs-municipalities-to-offer-third-vaccine-doses-to-people-with-severe-immune-deficiency
64. THL (21/9/2021) https://thl.fi/en/web/thlfi-en/-/thl-has-instructed-municipalities-on-giving-third-doses-of-coronavirus-vaccine-to-persons-vaccinated-with-short-dose-interval 
65. THL (22/9/2021) https://thl.fi/en/web/thlfi-en/-/persons-vaccinated-at-short-dose-interval-are-those-who-received-their-coronavirus-vaccines-at-dose-interval-of-no-more-than-six-weeks- 
66. THL (1/10/2021) https://thl.fi/fi/-/suomessa-on-annettu-yhteensa-yli-7-5-miljoonaa-koronarokoteannosta-yli-70-prosenttia-12-vuotta-tayttaneista-saanut-kaksi-annosta
67. THL (24/9/2021) https://thl.fi/fi/-/koronarokotteita-riittaa-suomessa-hyvin-nyt-kaikille-halukkaille?redirect=%2Ffi%2F 
68. Pirkanmaa Hospital District (14/9/2021) https://www.tays.fi/fi-FI/Pirkanmaalla_noin_100_000_ihmista_on_jat(135262)
69. Uusimaa Hospital District (16/9/2021) https://www.hus.fi/ajankohtaista/vanhempi-ja-lasten-kanssa-tyoskenteleva-ota-koronarokote
70. YLE, Pukkila T. (21/9/2021) https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-12108152 
71. YLE, Rautavuori L. (22/9/2021) https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-12108653
72. Finnish Government (9/9/2021) https://valtioneuvosto.fi/paatokset/paatos?decisionId=0900908f80754eb1 
73. YLE, Koskela M. &Tuhkanen A. (2/10/2021) https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-12124311 
74. THL (11/10/2021) https://thl.fi/en/web/thlfi-en/-/thl-issues-instructions-that-men-under-30-years-of-age-should-only-be-offered-the-comirnaty-coronavirus-vaccine
75. THL (6/10/2021) https://thl.fi/en/web/thlfi-en/-/clusters-of-coronavirus-cases-found-among-migrant-workers-effective-testing-and-vaccinations-are-required-to-prevent-infection
76. Helsinki University Hospital (5/10/2021) https://thl.fi/en/web/thlfi-en/-/clusters-of-coronavirus-cases-found-among-migrant-workers-effective-testing-and-vaccinations-are-required-to-prevent-infection
77. Helsinki University Hospital (6/10/2021) https://www.hus.fi/ajankohtaista/rokottamattomuuden-hintalappu-jopa-miljardi 
78. THL (19/10/2021) https://thl.fi/en/web/thlfi-en/-/thl-recommends-offering-a-third-coronavirus-vaccine-dose-to-those-over-60-and-for-medical-high-risk-groups
79. THL (22/10/2021) https://thl.fi/fi/-/koronataudin-sairastanut-ei-yleensa-tarvitse-toista-rokoteannosta-suojakseen-toinen-annos-voidaan-antaa-esimerkiksi-matkustussyista-?redirect=%2Ffi%2F
80. THL (14/10/2021) https://thl.fi/en/web/thlfi-en/-/use-of-astrazeneca-coronavirus-vaccine-to-end-in-finland-in-november
81. THL (18/10/2021) https://thl.fi/en/web/thlfi-en/-/vaccination-coverage-higher-in-eastern-than-in-western-finland-vaccine-uptake-also-varies-by-age-gender-and-language-group
82. THL (5/11/2021) https://thl.fi/fi/-/thl-julkaisee-vastedes-tiedot-myos-kolmannen-koronarokoteannoksen-saaneista-paivittain?redirect=%2Ffi%2F
83. THL (10/11/2021) https://thl.fi/en/web/thlfi-en/-/coronavirus-vaccine-coverage-now-at-80-percent-vaccine-still-worth-taking
84. THL (8/11/2021) https://thl.fi/en/web/thlfi-en/-/thl-study-vaccine-protection-against-covid-19-disease-among-health-care-workers-remained-excellent-for-six-months-after-the-second-dose
85. THL (18/11/2021) https://thl.fi/fi/-/thl-ehdottaa-kolmansia-koronarokoteannoksia-riskiryhmiin-kuuluvia-hoitaville-seka-paikallisen-harkinnan-mukaan-muulle-sotehenkilostolle-?redirect=%2Ffi%2Fweb%2Finfektiotaudit-ja-rokotukset%2Fajankohtaista%2Fajankohtaista-koronaviruksesta-covid-19   
86. THL (12/11/2021) https://thl.fi/fi/-/thl-n-suun-terveydenhuollon-koronaohjeistusta-paivitetty-rokotuskattavuus-mahdollistaa-lisavarotoimien-vahentamisen 
87. YLE, Tolkki K & Viitala S. (25/11/2021) https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-12202262
88. Helsingin Sanomat, Reko V/Satakunnan Kansa (16/11/2021) https://www.hs.fi/hyvinvointi/art-2000008427364.html
89. Helsingin Sanomat, Keski-Heikkilä A (24/11/2021) https://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/art-2000008428135.html
90. THL (2/12/2021) https://thl.fi/en/web/thlfi-en/-/thl-recommends-that-third-coronavirus-vaccine-doses-be-offered-5-to-6-months-after-the-second-dose-to-all-those-aged-18-or-over
91. THL (2/12/2021) https://thl.fi/en/web/thlfi-en/-/thl-recommends-coronavirus-vaccinations-for-at-risk-children-aged-5-to-11-years-for-the-entire-age-group-require-more-information-on-safety 
92. THL (15/12/2021) https://thl.fi/en/web/thlfi-en/-/thl-drafts-list-of-high-risk-groups-for-5-11-year-olds-municipalities-may-start-covid-19-vaccinations-for-children-in-the-high-risk-groups 
93. Yle, Niemistö E. (8/12/2021) https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-12221227
94. Yle, Hinkula E. (11/12/2021) https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-12226205
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105. YLE Rita M. (13/1/2022) https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-12269271  
106. THL (21/1/22) https://thl.fi/en/web/thlfi-en/-/pregnancy-increases-susceptibility-to-severe-covid-19-infection-pregnant-women-added-to-at-risk-groups-for-covid-19-disease 
107. Finnish Government (24/2/2022) https://valtioneuvosto.fi/paatokset/paatos?decisionId=0900908f8079b41f 

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has estimated that hospital districts will have to reallocate a significant proportion of their resources to the treatment of patients infected with the coronavirus. Some hospital districts have already announced that they have decreased the capacity of non-acute care (e.g. deferrals of elective surgeries) to increase the capacity for the treatment of COVID19-patients.

The Helsinki-Uusimaa hospital district has announced that it is ready to establish a special pandemic hospital if needed. It has reallocated services so that most corona patients are treated in the previous Surgical hospital. Some municipalities plan to use school and old nursing home premises to treat patients. Large cities such as Helsinki and Tampere and others have established a special coronavirus health clinic in which they only treat patients with respiratory symptoms. Some smaller cities have set separate consultation times in the health centres for suspected COVID-19 patients and other patients if it is not feasible or yet needed to arrange separate facilities.

Video and telephone consultations have increased in several service providers in the public and private sector. The Helsinki-Uusimaa hospital district has announced that it will start digital consultations (via either the phone or computer) for all appointments that can be handled remotely.(1)

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