COVID-19 disease in Finland

Shortly

Since July 2023, COVID-19 has been classified as a monitored communicable disease instead of a generally hazardous communicable disease.
Vaccinations continue to be the most important way to protect against serious forms of COVID-19, and the recommendations focus especially on risk groups.
The wellbeing services counties are responsible for organising vaccinations and providing information, whereas the authorities are responsible for guidelines and decision-making.
The Communicable Diseases Act and the Emergency Powers Act guide the authorities’ responsibilities and preparedness for combating communicable diseases.

Since July 2023, COVID-19 has been classified as a monitored communicable disease. At the same time, the novel coronavirus causing the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2, was removed from the list of generally hazardous communicable diseases. The Government approved the decree amendment on 30 June 2023. The World Health Organization (WHO) no longer defines COVID-19 as a public health emergency of international concern.

Monitoring the occurrence of variants and morbidity caused by the virus will continue, and measures to prevent infections can be stepped up if the disease burden increases. The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) continue to provide up-to-date information on the COVID-19 situation.

Situation update on coronavirus (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare)Link to an external website

Vaccinations are the most effective way to protect against a serious COVID-19 disease. Because of this, it is important to continue to take care of your vaccination coverage in accordance with the recommendations.

These pages contain documents on how Finland combated the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020–2023.

COVID-19 vaccines

Vaccinations reduce severe illness from COVID-19. Booster shots are recommended particularly for older people and those who belong to risk groups because of a health condition. The wellbeing services counties are responsible for organising COVID-19 vaccinations and providing information on how and when residents can receive their vaccinations.

Finland has procured all its COVID-19 vaccines through the EU joint procurement. The joint procurement means that the European Commission negotiates an agreement with a pharmaceutical company and procures vaccines for all EU Member States participating in the procurement.

More information on COVID-19 vaccines is available on the website of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare:

In Finland, the Finnish Medicines Agency (Fimea) monitors and collects information on adverse reactions to all medicines and vaccines in collaboration with the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Healthcare professionals and citizens can report any suspected adverse reactions to Fimea. More information on adverse reactions and how to report them is available on the Fimea website.

Adverse reactions reported on corona vaccines (Fimea)Link to an external website

COVID-19 strategies

Hybrid strategy

The objective of the hybrid strategy in 2022 was to stabilise society and keep it as open as possible, to support post-crisis management and reconstruction, and to ensure preparedness for the ongoing global pandemic.

Testing and contact tracing strategy

The strategy for COVID-19 testing and contact tracing was last updated on 22 June 2022. The goal of the strategy was to prevent the spread of infections among people in risk groups, guide patients with severe symptoms to treatment and secure the capacity of the healthcare system.

10.2.2022 Updated testing and contact tracing strategy (in Finnish)
22.6.2022 Updated testing and contact tracing strategyFile opens in a new tab pdf 1.9MB (in Finnish)

COVID-19 vaccination strategy

The COVID-19 vaccination strategy was last updated on 22 June 2022.

22.6.2022 Updated COVID-19 vaccination strategyFile opens in a new tab pdf 1MB (in Finnish)

Guidelines and decisions of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health for the prevention of COVID-19

These pages contain the decisions, guidelines and recommendations issued by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health for the prevention of COVID-19.

Guidelines and decisions of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health for the prevention of COVID-19 (in Finnish)

Responsibilities of the authorities

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is responsible for the general planning, guidance and monitoring of the prevention of communicable diseases. The Ministry also appoints working and coordination groups for the prevention of COVID-19.

The responsibilities of the various authorities for combating communicable diseases – including the COVID-19 disease – are described here:

Fighting infectious disease: Responsibilities of the authorities

Legislation and principles guiding preparedness measures

The Communicable Diseases Act lays down the obligations of the authorities and the principles of cooperation between the authorities to prevent communicable diseases. The Act is supplemented by the Government Decree on Communicable Diseases.

Under the Emergency Powers Act, the state authorities and agencies and municipalities must ensure that they can carry out their duties with minimal disruption even in emergency conditions.

Emergency Powers Act 1552/2011 (Finlex)Link to an external website

COVID-19 briefings

The COVID-19 briefings held by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare provide a picture of the progress of the epidemic in Finland.