The government’s target of 80 percent vaccination coverage, in people aged 12 and over, is nearing completion, but the Covid epidemic shows no signs of slowing down.
In an interview with Ilta-Sanomat, Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services Krista Kiuru (SDP) painted a bleak picture of the Covid situation in Finland. According to Kiuru, Finland has ended up among the countries where the epidemic is out of control.
In an interview with Yle, Prime Minister Sanna Marin (SDP) commented on Kiuru's assessment of the epidemic situation.
"The way I understand Minister Kiuru’s statement is that the epidemic is spreading among the unvaccinated. There are more cases of the disease among those who have not been vaccinated and they make up most of the burden placed on hospitals. I worry about that myself," Marin says.
According to Marin, the government aims to raise the vaccination coverage target to 90 percent, emphasising everyone’s individual responsibility to get vaccinated.
"It would be good to reach - or even exceed - 90 percent vaccination coverage. We want the vaccination coverage to be constantly increasing. The best way to protect yourself, your fellow humans and the capacity of our health care system is to get the vaccine. It is an act of responsibility," said Marin.
Within the government, hospital capacity and the worsening Covid situation have been cause for concern. According to information received by Yle, the governing parties have demanded that the Prime Minister gather the entire government to negotiate the Covid situation.
According to Marin, the government will review the Covid situation next Wednesday.
"We will assess whether or not it is possible to lift the restrictions, or if we are able to extend restrictions in regard to restaurants and the Covid passport. We are also looking at ways to expand the use of the passport," she said.
It has been two weeks since the government received their last Covid update, said Marin, adding that the situation has also been reviewed by the sote ministerial group.