Sosiaali- ja terveysministeriö Social- och hälsovårdsministeriet

Vaccinations against swine influenza continue, telephone helpline will be closed

Getting a vaccination against swine influenza is still recommended. Vaccinations can contribute to preventing a second wave of the influenza, which is according to experts likely to occur next autumn at the latest. During this spring taking the vaccination is free of charge for all those resident in Finland.

Finland has received 4.2 million doses of vaccine

Finland has so far received 4.2 million doses of the swine flu vaccine. The 1.4 million doses that arrived recently will be distributed to municipalities this week. The rest of the vaccines, a total of 1.1 million doses, should arrive in a few weeks.

Nurses get limited right to prescribe medication to patients in their care

It is proposed that nurses are given a limited right to prescribe drugs to the patients they treat at nurses' clinics. The requirements include an employment relationship with the health centre, necessary further training, and an authorisation from the physician-in-charge. The limited prescribing right applies only to medication for specific medical conditions.