COVID-19

COVID-19 vaccines donated by Finland are only of interest to a few countries

COVID-19 vaccines donated by Finland find limited interest as several countries refuse the free doses. Despite distributing over three million vaccines worldwide, Finland faces challenges in finding countries willing to accept the excess doses. Concerns about vaccine safety and skepticism towards Western-made vaccines have led to restrictions on the distribution of AstraZeneca and other generic vaccines in many African nations. Finland's donations predominantly target vulnerable and in-need countries through organizations like COVAX.

Medriva Newsroom

24 Dec 2022 03:05 EST

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Other countries have refused millions of doses of the COVID-19 vaccine offered by Finland and other wealthier nations. Several governments have donated excess COVID-19 vaccination doses to other countries. However, only a tiny number of countries are interested in continuing to receive free vaccines.

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Finland has distributed over three million Covid vaccines worldwide. Identifying countries willing to accept the dosages has become more difficult as the need for the doses has decreased.

"For example, the African Union no longer receives donated vaccines from the European Union," says Sari Ekholm, senior counselor for medical affairs at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

When nations such as Finland stopped utilizing the immunizations, Europe began administering substantial amounts of the AstraZeneca Covid vaccination in November 2021. According to the Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare, AstraZeneca's Vaxzevria coronavirus vaccination will be phased out by the end of November (THL). Because of a few incidents of blood clots in vaccine recipients, Finland and other countries have raised concerns about vaccination safety.

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Because vaccine supplies significantly outnumber demand, many African governments have prohibited the distribution of AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, and other generic vaccinations this year.

"Many Africans are skeptical of AstraZeneca. Unfortunately, they are suspicious of anything coming from the West." Eija Limnell, the chief of the Finnish Foreign Ministry, stated.

Finland has provided vaccine doses to Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Vaccinations began in Ivory Coast in October and have since moved to Egypt, Indonesia, Laos, and Vietnam, as well as Ethiopia and Nigeria.

COVAX, or Covid-19 Vaccines Global Access, is a multinational organization that organizes and distributes Covid vaccines to guarantee that everyone has equitable access to them. According to Limnell, the majority of Finland's gifts are given to countries that are both vulnerable and in need.

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