Coronavirus is very likely to accelerate in autumn

The coronavirus situation is likely to worsen in Autumn and the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) planned to recommend the extension of fourth doses of the coronavirus vaccine in the late summer.

“The coronavirus epidemic is very likely to accelerate in the autumn. In addition, the protection of those in older age groups and in risk groups is starting to wane gradually. In light of current information, expanding vaccinations in the late summer is justified”, said THL chief physician Hanna Nohynek.

According to the current preliminary THL plan, boosters for those who have been vaccinated three times would be made available from 15 August to all aged 65 and above, from 1 September to all aged 60 and above, from 1 September to all those between the ages of 12 and 59 who are in one of the risk groups for severe coronavirus disease.

“For younger people severe coronavirus disease is rare and for them, the protection offered by a third vaccine against a severe disease remains very good. The criteria for vaccinating all healthy persons over the age of 60 for a fourth time have not yet been met”, Nohynek added.

The recommendation that THL expects to issue would be in line with policy in Denmark and Norway, for example. In those countries the coronavirus epidemic has moved ahead in a manner similar to that in Finland.