Finland likely to start coronavirus vaccination on 27 Dec

The first batch of the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine is expected to arrive in Finland over Christmas, said Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

Finland prepares to start vaccinations alongside other EU countries on 27 December, if the marketing authorisation and deliveries are in order, said a press release of the ministry.

Vaccine deliveries can start only after the European Commission has granted the vaccine a marketing authorisation.

The commission grants marketing authorisations in the EU based on a scientific evaluation and a positive recommendation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

The EMA is expected to give its recommendation on 21 December.

The ministry, however, does not yet know the size of the first batch of vaccines to arrive in Finland but expects it to be relatively small.