Finland to get more vaccines than expected in July

An estimated 252,000 doses of coronavirus vaccines are to arrive in Finland in weeks 27 and 28, said the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) in a press release on Tuesday.

Last week the number of doses expected was about 240,000, or more than 10,000 fewer.

”Moderna brings forward its vaccine deliveries, which is why Finland will be getting more vaccines in July”, said Mia Kontio, Chief Specialist at THL.

About 3.2 million people have received their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine. This means that about 57 percent of the whole population have been vaccinated at least once.

Meanwhile, about 17 percent of the population, or about 916,000 people, have received their second coronavirus vaccination, or their full series.

“Even in the summer it is important to remember to take the vaccine when it is your turn to do so. If the second vaccination is in the summer, this should be considered when making summer plans. As a rule, the vaccination must be taken in one's own home municipality”, Kontion said.

The vaccine coverage of the first dose for those aged 50-59 has risen to nearly 90 percent this week.

At present 70 percent of those aged 40-49 have received their first vaccine doses, and half of those aged 30-39 have been vaccinated for the first time.

“At the same time, vaccinations for the second dose have proceeded well, and 70 percent of those aged 70-79 have been given the second dose. Taking a second dose is important to ensure that the recipient of the vaccine gets the best possible protection especially now that the Delta virus variant is more prevalent than before”, Kontio added.