Minister of the Interior and Chairman of the Green Party Maria Ohisalo has criticized the Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) for the contradictory communication related to the proposed changes in the Finnish vaccine introduction strategy.
At a press conference held by the Greens on Tuesday, Ohisalo responded to the comments of THL’s CEO Markku Tervahauta in Helsingin sanomat newspaper (external link in Finnish). Tar Grave stated that the areas most affected by the epidemic – the Helsinki Metropolitan Area and Turku – should be given additional vaccinations, while risk groups are still vaccinated elsewhere in the country.
However, this was at odds with the THL statement issued on 26 March that targeting areas with the highest infection rates is unlikely to significantly affect the progression of the epidemic. According to THL, this is because at a time when vaccines are sufficient to target the most affected areas, it is enough to vaccinate a larger population.
"I have to say that the THL has received very contradictory messages last week. This puts politicians in a difficult position," Ohisalo said, adding that conflicting information makes it difficult for policymakers to reach a firm conclusion.
The interior minister also said he wanted more information on the effectiveness of changing the vaccination schedule.
Tar Grave said in an interview with Yle that vaccinations can be increased in the most affected areas only when more vaccines are available than at present.
A clear vision is needed for government negotiations
The government is scheduled to discuss plans to change its vaccination strategy at Wednesday’s meeting.
It is imperative that expert organizations give the government clear expectations before negotiations, Ohisalo said, so that the government can be on the same page with THL about the desired results.
"If targeting vaccines to the most affected areas is, in THL’s view, the most effective measure, I expect health experts tomorrow to present what works best, because politicians need to have access to the most accurate information to make big and difficult decisions. ," Ohisalo says.
He added that the government has not yet discussed the introduction of occupational vaccines.
Source: The Nordic Page