Denmark drops vaccines as virus is ‘under control’

DENMARK has become the first country to suspend its Covid-19 vaccination programme as its health authority said the virus is under control.

The Danish Health Authority noted the high levels of vaccinations, a drop in the number of new infections and stabilising hospitalisation rates as contributing factors to the decision to halt the national immunisation drive.

Denmark’s government became the first EU country to remove all pandemic-related domestic restrictions on Feb 1, when it said the virus was no longer considered a critical threat.

About 81 per cent of Denmark’s 5.8 million citizens have had two doses of the vaccine, and 62 per cent have received a booster jab. The government will not issue invitations after May 15, but health officials expect to resume the programme after the summer.

Bolette Soborg, the director for the department of preparedness and infectious diseases at the authority, said the reopening “will be preceded by a thorough professional assessment of who and when to vaccinate and with which vaccines”.