Finland to give mRNA boosters to AstraZeneca jab recipients
A vaccine expert said it would have been wise for health authorities to have studied the effects of mix-and-match regimens earlier.
Nurse Nguelah Elise giving Maire Löppönen an Astra Zeneca jab in Helsinki on 14 April.
Image: Silja Viitala / Yle
Finland now recommends that people under 65 who received a first dose of AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vector-based vaccine to have their second shot be an mRNA-based vaccine.
Other countries, including Germany, France, Norway and Denmark have made similar decisions, due to concerns over rare blood clot side effects from the AstraZeneca jab.
The British variant is dominant in Helsinki s Covid epidemic.
Vaccinations being given at the Jätkäsaari vaccination centre in Helsinki on 15 April.
Image: Silja Viitala / Yle
Finland has detected around ten cases of the B.1.617 coronavirus variant which was first detected in India, according to Helsinki University virology professor
Olli Vapalahti. Most of these infections were found at the border as people arrived into the country.
The variant has prompted concern among public health officials as Covid spread and death rates continue to spiral in India.
Vapalahti told Yle s morning TV show that Covid cases in Helsinki were split 80-20 between the British and South African strains of the virus.