COVID-19 levels rise in Finland as vaccination campaigns prepare for autumn

According to a recent wastewater monitoring report by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), COVID-19 levels have increased in all monitored regions in recent weeks.

Last year, the peak occurred in November, which saw over 13,000 confirmed cases in official tests. At that time, thousands of laboratory-confirmed cases were reported weekly; currently, the numbers are in the hundreds. In comparison, the overall figures are relatively low now, noted Aino Nyqvist, an infection disease physician at THL. The true number of infections remains unknown, as home test results are not included in statistics, and many may have the virus without realizing it. However, this summer’s figures are comparable to last summer’s.

Notably, this year, case numbers began to rise earlier than last year, around six weeks ahead of the previous increase, according to Nyqvist. A surge in cases is expected as the autumn and winter months approach, although the peak’s exact timing remains uncertain.

COVID-19 vaccines are already available in Finland. Last year, vaccinations for risk groups coincided with flu shots but started late. This year, THL recommends administering COVID-19 vaccinations in early autumn. New vaccine doses have arrived, allowing regional health authorities to begin vaccinations as early as August or September. The autumn vaccinations will use the BioNTech-Pfizer Comirnaty Omicron JN.1 vaccine.

Vaccinations will start with the elderly in care homes and high-risk individuals, while others in lower-risk groups will receive COVID-19 vaccines alongside flu shots. Early initiation of flu vaccinations is also recommended from the beginning of October.

This summer has seen an unusual surge in whooping cough cases, with around 300 identified—significantly more compared to last year, leading to nearly 1,000 cases by the end of July. Despite increased cases, health officials do not see a need for major interventions.