Finland Expands Chickenpox Vaccination Program to All Unprotected Adults
The Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has announced an expansion of the national chickenpox vaccination program. Starting immediately, the vaccine will be offered to all adults who lack protection from either a prior infection or two doses of the vaccine.
The measure targets a relatively small group, as chickenpox primarily affects children under the age of ten, and nearly all Finns over 50 have already contracted the disease (Yle). MTV Uutiset notes that the expansion ensures broader coverage for those who may have missed vaccination or natural immunity.
Since 2017, the vaccine has been provided free of charge to individuals born in 2006 or later, leading to a significant reduction in chickenpox cases nationwide (Yle). While the illness is typically mild in children, it can cause severe complications in adults, particularly pregnant individuals and those with weakened immune systems. The risk of complications also increases with age (Yle).