COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — A fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose might be supplied to nursing house residents and other people age 50 and over in Denmark later this yr, the prime minister mentioned Wednesday.
The explanation for the transfer is an increase in circumstances of the BA.5 coronavirus variant in Europe, and Denmark’s authorities says it desires to maneuver swiftly to keep away from potential restrictions or a lockdown.
“The an infection has been on the rise for the previous three weeks,” Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen mentioned. “That’s the reason we’re appearing now.”
She added that the swift transfer was aimed toward taking good care of older individuals and the weak and to keep away from the congestion of hospitals, shutdowns and restrictions and to maintain the financial system going.
Final week, the BA.5 variant accounted for 59% of the optimistic circumstances whereas the earlier week it represented 32% of the circumstances, Well being Minister Magnus Heunicke mentioned. As of Wednesday, 1,958 circumstances have been reported in Denmark and 249 individuals have been hospitalized.
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“These are staggering numbers, however they’re low numbers in comparison with what we’ve tried earlier than,” mentioned Heunicke, including that whereas the variant is extra contagious, it does not trigger extra severe sickness.
The shot will first be given to these dwelling in nursing houses beginning Sept. 15 after which these over 50 from Oct. 1. Susceptible individuals can also get a vaccine by contacting their basic practitioner, mentioned the top of the Danish Well being Authority, Søren Brostrøm. Nursing house workers can even be supplied a fourth shot.
Frederiksen mentioned it’s the Danish well being authorities’ evaluation that 2.5 million individuals could be supplied revaccination through the fall.
She added that with the information Denmark has now, “we don’t see an autumn and a winter with main restrictions and closures.”
“All we do now’s to keep away from the shutdowns,” Heunicke mentioned.
Comply with AP’s protection of the coronavirus pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/covid-19-pandemic
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