Norway: Free COVID-19 vaccine as part of the health program
The government of Norway stated that they will provide the COVID-19 vaccine free to all its occupants once it is available, and this would certainly become part of the country’s national vaccination program.
Norway, which is part of the European single market however is not a member of the European Union, claimed that it will certainly gain access to the vaccines that the European Union gets through contracts discussed with pharma firms.
Prime Minister Erna Solberg stated that they desire as many people as possible to receive the offer of getting a risk-free and efficient vaccine. This is the reason why vaccination will be free of cost.
Sweden, an European Union member, and Norway’s neighbor will get extra vaccines than it needs and then resell it to Norway.
The government stated that the EU has thus far entered into contracts with 3 various vaccine makers, and is negotiating agreements with various other makers. Norway is covered by these arrangements by resale contracts with Sweden.
As per the ECDC, presently, the Nordic country has the lowest level of new infections in Europe. Its 14-day aggregate active COVID-19 cases/100,000 occupants were 34.3 as of 13 October 2020.
Though there are broad disparities within the nation.
Authorities are most worried about the circumstance in Oslo, where present restrictions, such as obligatory wearing masks in public transport when social distancing can not be maintained, were extended on 13 October 2020 for an uncertain period.
Likewise, Norway is part of the international plan for the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines supported by the WHO – COVAX, joined by 171 countries including China but ignored by Russia and the U.S.
The program targets to supply equal access to COVID-19 vaccines for wealthy and underdeveloped nations similarly.
Norway: Free COVID-19 vaccine as part of the health program
