The City of Helsinki has reported having to turn people away from vaccination centres for arriving without a scheduled appointment.
"We have had to turn individuals away at vaccination sites because their names were not on the list. These people have just walked into the vaccination centre and asked if they could get the vaccine," Helsinki health services director Leena Turpeinen told Yle.
She added that people escorting others with scheduled appointments have also occasionally asked if they could receive the inoculation at the same time. However, they have also been refused as officials adhere to Finland’s vaccination schedule, which prioritises healthcare workers, the elderly and people in risk groups.
"These people are trying to get the vaccine, even though it is not their turn," Turpeinen said, adding that officials have also been asked whether it was possible to receive a dose if there were any left over at the end of the day.
"For these situations, we already have a list of people who need to be vaccinated," she said, citing as examples healthcare workers in care home facilities.
Officials adhering to vaccine strategy
Turpeinen said she welcomes people's willingness to take the vaccine and emphasised that the requests have not led to any problems.
"I think it’s obvious that things like this can happen occasionally in a city the size of Helsinki," she said.
Increased anxiety over the delayed rollout of vaccinations in Finland may be a factor that has led to people attempting to jump the queue, according to psychologist Jari Jakola.
Another possible solution is confusion or a lack of clarity over the vaccination schedule, as outlined by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (external link) and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (external link), Jakola added.
However, Turpeinen said that there is no flexibility in the vaccination schedule, and the people that need it the most will receive it first.
"If word started to spread that someone was able to jump the vaccination queue, things could get out of control," Turpeinen said.