Unvaccinated COVID-19 patients, third dose and priest on behalf of the vaccine: Today’s news review
By According to several news sources, the proportion of unvaccinated patients is 77 per cent of those admitted to COVID-19 in the Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District (HUS).
The Finnish News Agency (STT) reports that the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) recommends that all people over 60 receive a third dose of COVID-19.
Local newspapers also revealed that more than 200 congregations have severed ties with the Finnish Lutheran Church after the bishop Teemu Laajasalo published an article that encouraged people to get vaccinated.
An unvaccinated account will increase COVID-19 hospitalizations in the HUS area
The HUS has revealed that 77 percent of patients admitted to hospitals for COVID-19 treatment last week (October 11-17) had not been vaccinated, compared to 67 percent in the previous week.
By figures According to Helsingin Sanomat, for every 100,000 unvaccinated people in 12.7 hospitals. The corresponding figure for fully vaccinated was only 0.8. This shows that people who have not received the vaccine are 16 times more likely to be hospitalized for COVID-19 disease.
THL recommends a third dose of the vaccine for the elderly, at risk
THL has proposed that municipalities provide a third vaccine of COVID-19 to all people aged 60 and over and risk groups 1 and 2, which contain diseases that can lead to serious viral disease.
The recommendations also apply to people living in nursing homes, regardless of age. About 77,000 people, including those at risk and healthcare workers, have already received a booster dose, the third dose.
The Lutheran Church loses its members after the bishop has distributed the vaccines
An opinion piece in favor of vaccines by Teemu Laajasalo, a Lutheran bishop in Helsinki, has provoked controversy. An article that was published Helsingin Sanomat on Monday, it has been reported that more than 200 members have left the church.
In the article, Laajasalo urges people to be vaccinated and states that anyone who decides not to do so without a valid medical reason is Irresponsible and endangers the lives of others. He also refers to “indisputable medical evidence” that shows the effectiveness of the vaccine.
Ward members who have severed ties to the church have described Laajasalo’s writing as “hate speech” and condemned his view as “non-Christian” because they are allegedly seeking to incite guilt among people who have not been vaccinated.
Tahira Sequeira
Helsinki Times