THL proposes 3rd COVID-19 vaccine dose for risk groups

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) has proposed that a third COVID-19 booster vaccine be offered to at-risk groups, even though it said that the number of new infections continued to fall in the country, reported Xinhua.

The total number of new confirmed cases between Aug. 23 and Aug. 29 was 4,064, about 300 fewer than in the previous week. The 14-day case notification rate per 100,000 inhabitants was 152, 18 percent less than in the preceding two-week period, the THL said in a press release issued on Thursday.

Although the number of COVID-19 cases among children aged 10 and below is increasing, the incidence rate is still higher among unvaccinated working-age adults.

On Wednesday, the THL recommended that a third vaccine dose should be administered primarily to all those over the age of 12 whose body's immune response is reduced due to the disease or its treatment.

THL specialist Mia Kontio told journalists on Thursday that a third booster vaccine would offer protection by raising antibody to levels seen in healthy people.

A third shot could be given to at-risk groups at least two months after the second dose.

The possibility of a third vaccine dose being offered to the rest of the population will be assessed during the autumn, the health agency said.

Finland's government and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health will later specify the schedule for administering the third booster dose based on the THL's recommendations.

According to the THL, around 72 percent of Finland's population have already received at least the first COVID-19 vaccine dose, and 50.8 percent two doses.