Finland's temporary suspension of using the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine has not significantly affected the country's vaccination rate, according to Mia Kontio, a specialist in vaccine logistics from the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
Finland suspended administering the AstraZeneca vaccine last Friday after two cases of brain blood clots were diagnosed in two individuals who'd received the jab.
At the time, health officials said the vaccine would be suspended for one week, but underscored that the move was a precautionary measure.
"Quantitatively, the suspension will not have a major impact at this stage. If and when the AstraZeneca vaccinations are continued, the stored vaccines will become available again," Kontio said in an interview on Yle's Radio 1 on Wednesday.
The AstraZeneca vaccinations have been paused while an investigation is being held into its possible side effects.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has also conducted an investigation into the matter and has said it considers the vaccine to be safe and effective.
According to Kontio, Finland's suspension of the jab has created extra work for municipalities due to booked vaccination appointments having to be cancelled.
As of Tuesday 23 March, 13.3 percent of the Finnish population had received at least one coronavirus vaccination dose of some type.
Kontio said the current estimate is that everyone over the age of 16 will have received at least one vaccine dose by the end of July.