Finland reports first adverse reaction to Covid vaccine

The Finnish Medicines Agency Fimea has received the first report of an adverse reaction to the coronavirus vaccine since Finland began rolling out its vaccination program on 27 December.

The agency's Chief Physician, Maija Kaukonen, confirmed that the report had been received but said she could not disclose any further details due to patient confidentiality.

However, Kaukonen added that reports of allergic or adverse reactions are likely to increase as the vaccination program progresses, and the agency will provide additional information as it becomes available.

"When there are at least five such reports, we will put information on our website about the type of reactions that have occurred," Kaukonen said.

Since the program began, vaccinations have been given to healthcare staff in Finland's five largest hospital districts of Helsinki, Turku, Tampere, Kuopio, and Oulu.

Hanna Nohynek, a vaccinologist and senior physician with the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), told Yle that reports of an adverse reaction to a new vaccine are not surprising, especially in the early stages of a rollout.

"The reporting threshold is much lower for new vaccinations, and it is encouraged," Nohynek said, adding that the vaccinated person, their close relative, or healthcare professional can make the report.

Nohynek noted that authorities assess each vaccine's benefits and drawbacks before it is authorized and distributed and that monitoring continues after distribution has begun.

Both THL and Fimea constantly monitor adverse reactions to vaccines and report them on their websites.

The number of allergic reactions worldwide to the coronavirus vaccine is currently occurring at a rate of about one in 100,000 people. Usually, the rate of adverse reactions to vaccinations is about one per one million.