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HALLOWEEN

Don’t go trick or treating on Halloween this year, says Danish health service

The Danish Health Authority (Sundhedsstyrelsen) has warned against traditional Halloween celebrations this year due to concerns over spreading coronavirus.

Don't go trick or treating on Halloween this year, says Danish health service
Halloween in Denmark in 2019. Photo: Ida Guldbæk Arentsen/Ritzau Scanpix

Fancy dress parties and knocking on doors to ask for treats have potential to transmit virus infection, the authority writes on its website.

“At Halloween and other autumn events, you should find alternative events to torch processions, fancy dress parties and trick-or-treating, as these are activities that can be linked to transmission of infection,” the statement reads.

As an alternative to the October 31st traditions, the health authority suggests parents organise smaller Halloween parties for smaller groups of children who are in regular contact.

Hollowing out pumpkins is still an acceptable activity according to the recommendation, as is treasure hunting or arts and crafts.

If you really want to give out sweets or candy, this should be done in pre-prepared portions.

Celebrations should take place outside if the weather is good enough, but larger groups should not gather. Denmark currently has a maximum assembly number of 50.

READ ALSO: Early closing times nationwide: These are Denmark’s new Covid-19 measures

“We are in the middle of an epidemic in which we must do things a little differently than usual. That means planning autumn holidays a little differently than we are used to to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection,” Health Authority deputy director Helene Probst said in regard to general activities this autumn.

“That’s why it might be a good idea to stay with people close do you and do fun things at home like jigsaw puzzles or playing conkers. If the weather is good enough, go outdoors, take a walk in the forest or find an outdoor activity at a local museum,” Probst said in the statement.

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COVID-19

Public Health Agency recommends two Covid doses next year for elderly

Sweden's Public Health Agency is recommending that those above the age of 80 should receive two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine a year, once in the spring and once in the autumn, as it shifts towards a longer-term strategy for the virus.

Public Health Agency recommends two Covid doses next year for elderly

In a new recommendation, the agency said that those living in elderly care centres, and those above the age of 80 should from March 1st receive two vaccinations a year, with a six month gap between doses. 

“Elderly people develop a somewhat worse immune defence after vaccination and immunity wanes faster than among young and healthy people,” the agency said. “That means that elderly people have a greater need of booster doses than younger ones. The Swedish Public Health Agency considers, based on the current knowledge, that it will be important even going into the future to have booster doses for the elderly and people in risk groups.” 

READ ALSO: 

People between the ages of 65 and 79 years old and young people with risk factors, such as obesity, diabetes, poor kidney function or high blood pressure, are recommended to take one additional dose per year.

The new vaccination recommendation, which will start to apply from March 1st next year, is only for 2023, Johanna Rubin, the investigator in the agency’s vaccination programme unit, explained. 

She said too much was still unclear about how long protection from vaccination lasted to institute a permanent programme.

“This recommendation applies to 2023. There is not really an abundance of data on how long protection lasts after a booster dose, of course, but this is what we can say for now,” she told the TT newswire. 

It was likely, however, that elderly people would end up being given an annual dose to protect them from any new variants, as has long been the case with influenza.

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