People in Norway will be able to voluntarily get the Janssen corona vaccine from Tuesday, June 15.
In May, the government decided to open up for voluntary Janssen vaccination, and the Norwegian Directorate of Health was commissioned to assess how the vaccination should take place outside the regular vaccination program.
More than 200,000 doses are in stock after the use of the vaccine was paused in April.
The National Institute of Public Health (FHI) has recommended that the government scrap the use of the Janssen vaccine, as it did in the case of the AstraZeneca vaccine, after several instances in which vaccinated people got blood clots and low platelet counts.
Vorland committee position
However, a majority in the government-appointed Vorland committee recommended that the government offer the vaccine as an exception, and a minority thought that it should be available on prescription.
The Norwegian Medical Association (Den norske legeforening) has been critical of doctors prescribing the vaccine.
What distinguishes the Janssen vaccines from the other vaccines used in Norway, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, is that only one dose is required for people to be considered fully vaccinated.
Three weeks after the vaccination, people also get the “green” status in their vaccine certificate.
People cannot demand to receive the Janssen vaccine
While people may express their wish to receive the Janssen vaccine, their doctor will ultimately decide whether they should actually receive it.
“The patient has the right to participate in the decision but cannot demand to receive the Janssen vaccine. The doctor has the last word, but must listen to the patient,” Minister of Health Bent Høie (H) said when he explained the scheme for voluntary vaccination with the Janssen vaccine on Wednesday.
“It is not a requirement for doctors to offer the vaccine, but all doctors will be able to give it out if they want it,” he said.
Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews
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