THL expands its recommendation on the fourth COVID-19 vaccination for persons aged 70–79 in at-risk groups 

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) recommends a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for persons aged 70-79 in at-risk groups. At-risk groups include those with severe heart or lung disease, diabetes, or morbid obesity. 

Previously, the fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccines has been recommended for those aged 12 or over with severe immune deficiencies, those aged 80 or over, those living in elderly care homes and older people under organised home care or informal care as well as other older people whose health and functional capacity have deteriorated correspondingly and who cannot cope alone at home. 

Municipalities organise vaccinations and will specify where and when COVID-19 vaccines can be obtained. 

By combining data from various registers, THL has assessed how significantly the fourth vaccine dose would increase protection for those who have received three doses, taking into account any underlying diseases that predispose them to a severe coronavirus disease and the current or near future epidemic situation.  

As age and underlying diseases increase the risk of a severe coronavirus disease, the greatest health benefits can be achieved by vaccinating those aged 70–79 in at-risk groups who have thus far received only three doses. There are about 300,000 people in this group.

Equal treatment of citizens is important.  

“Regardless of the epidemic situation, the risk of a disease requiring specialised medical care is slightly higher for those aged 70–79 in at-risk groups than for those aged over 80 who do not have similar illnesses”, says Hanna Nohynek, Chief Physician at THL. 

“By expanding fourth doses, we are also preparing for the future. We cannot exclude the possibility of a widespread outbreak of a more easily spreading coronavirus variant in the population, which may increase both the number of infections and the need for specialised medical care during the summer and early autumn”, Nohynek continues. 

The COVID-19 epidemic in Finland is calming down

The COVID-19 epidemic is calming down in Finland. The number of infections, the need for specialised medical care and intensive care, as well as the number of deaths are still on the decline.

However, the new Omicron strains BA.4 and BA.5, which are somewhat more contagious and able to evade the protection gained from vaccines, have spread more widely in Europe, for example, in Portugal. Even the spread of new virus strains is likely to be slowed down during the summer due to the seasonal variation observed in coronavirus strains.

However, based on current information, it cannot be reliably predicted whether the new, more easily spreading Omicron strains will increase the number of cases and the need for specialised medical care during the summer in Finland.    

Recommendations will be changed when necessary 

THL monitors the epidemic and is prepared to change its recommendations on COVID-19 vaccines when necessary.  

If the epidemic situation in June and July corresponds to the situation in summer 2020 and 2021, i.e. the number of cases declines to about one tenth of what it was at the turn of May, over 60,000 persons aged 70–79 should be vaccinated to prevent one period of specialised medical care. In this age group, more than 120,000 persons with no underlying diseases predisposing them to a severe disease and almost 44,000 of those who suffer from underlying diseases should be vaccinated to prevent one period of medical care. 

If the incidence of infections and hospitalisation among the elderly was about half of what it was at the turn of May, 25,000 persons aged 70–79 with no underlying diseases predisposing them to a severe coronavirus disease should be vaccinated to prevent one period of specialised medical care. Just under 9,000 persons with an underlying disease predisposing them to a severe coronavirus disease should be vaccinated. 

If the incidence of infections and hospitalisation among the elderly increased back to what is was at the turn of May, 12,500 persons aged 70–79 with no underlying disease predisposing them to a severe coronavirus disease should be vaccinated to prevent one period of specialised medical care. Just under 4,400 persons with an underlying disease predisposing them to a severe coronavirus disease should be vaccinated to achieve the same result.  

Further information: 

Hanna Nohynek 
Chief Physician 
THL 
[email protected] 

Mia Kontio 
Chief Specialist 
THL 
[email protected] 
 
At-risk groups for severe coronavirus disease