Finland expands varicella vaccination programme to all unprotected adults

Finland’s varicella vaccination programme was expanded on Saturday to offer the vaccine to all adults who lack immunity from either a previous infection or two vaccine doses, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health said, according to Yle.

Only a small number of adults are affected, as varicella usually infects people before they turn 10. Nearly all Finns over the age of 50 have had the disease.

Since 2017, the vaccine has been provided free of charge to everyone born in 2006 or later. The change has significantly reduced the incidence of varicella in Finland.

Although the disease is often mild in children, it can cause severe illness in adulthood, particularly among pregnant people and those with impaired immunity. The risk of complications also increases with age.