2 high infected regions to get more vaccines

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) is targeting a total of 14,000 doses of coronavirus vaccines for Central Ostrobothnia and in Päijät-Häme regions next week against the backdrop of the high infection rates in the areas, said the THL in a press release on Monday.

The regional incidence of coronavirus infections in Central Ostrobothnia is currently 197 cases per 100,000 residents, and the corresponding rate in Päijät-Häme is 113.

“The regional incidence in Central Ostrobothnia has risen rapidly in the past week, and more vaccines are being earmarked for the areas next week. Incidence in Päijät-Häme has also remained high, as it has been in recent weeks, and the regional targeting of vaccines there will continue as has been done in the preceding weeks,” says THL Leading Expert Mia Kontio.

Kontio also said that the incidence is lower in other parts of the country and no regional targeting will be made for these areas.

According to a Government decree, it is possible to prioritise coronavirus vaccines until the end of May in areas where the incidence of the virus has been at least 100 cases per 100,000 residents in the previous 14 days.

Meanwhile, the first doses of the vaccines have been given to 2.2 million people in Finland.

“A total of 258,750 doses of the vaccine have been imported into the country in the past seven days. Next week about 240,000 doses are expected in Finland, after which the number is set to increase. In June between 285,000 and 360,000 vaccines are expected to come to Finland each week. This is excellent news, as it will be possible to offer the vaccines to more people in the coming weeks”, Mia Kontio added.