The Minister of Health has signed an executive order that enables the selection of vaccines against COVID-19 outside the vaccination program.
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The executive order enters into force on Thursday 20 May and provides a basis for a private supplier to carry out the task after concluding a contract. It is expected that the first consultation and vaccination will take place in a very short time.
This means that individuals have the opportunity to be vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccines, which are outside the general vaccination program and before it is their turn according to the vaccination calendar.
Health Minister Magnus Heunicke says: "With the establishment of the optional scheme, the population will now have the opportunity to be vaccinated with the vaccines from AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson, which are not included in the general Danish vaccination program.
"Thus, it will soon be a real opportunity for the individual citizen to choose a faster vaccination than one will be able to get through the vaccination program. This will be done after a consultation with a doctor, where you get thorough information and must give informed consent if you want to make use of the scheme. There is broad political support for the scheme, which is another important element of our vaccination efforts."
Vaccination with COVID-19 vaccines outside the vaccination program will, like the other vaccines, be free for citizens, but unlike the general vaccination program, an individual medical consultation and prescription must be made prior to the vaccination. The doctor must also provide the citizen with particularly detailed information about the vaccines in the optional scheme.
The new executive order forms the basis for the scheme to be established. It is now time to sign a contract with a supplier of the scheme. It is expected that the contract can be signed this week and that the first consultation and vaccination can take place in the near future.
Citizens wishing to be vaccinated with the AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson vaccines should contact the private provider directly. ■
A very active and complex mid-May weather pattern is set to produce numerous areas of severe weather, heavy rain, high winds, and anomalous temperatures through this weekend.