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FOOTBALL

Danish football fans crowd together after rare championship win

An expert reacted with calm over the potential effect on Covid-19 infection numbers after thousands of football fans gathered near Copenhagen on Monday.

Danish football fans crowd together after rare championship win
Brøndby fans celebrate after their team became Danish champions following the Superliga match against FC Nordsjælland on Monday. Photo: Martin Sylvest/Ritzau Scanpix

Fans of Brøndby IF gathered to celebrate in large crowds after their team won its first Danish league championship for 16 years. Pictures show people standing close together, often without face masks.

The “naturally” increases the chances of transmission of Covid-19 but should not be considered a major cause for concern, according to an expert.

“Seen in isolation with regard to infections, it is clear that this will increase the chance of infection. There’s no doubt about that,” said Søren Riis Paludan, professor of virology and immunology at Aarhus University.

“But at the same time we should remember that very many people in risk groups have been vaccinated, so even with increased infections amongst young Brøndby fans, there won’t be many who can pass the infection on and cause serious Covid-19,” Paludan continued.

The Brøndby fan club asked its supporters prior to yesterday’s decisive match to take a coronavirus test and reacquaint themselves with guidelines.

An increased risk of infection in large crowds exists despite the celebrations taking place outdoors, according to Paludan.

“It’s clear that when you are celebrating and have many people close together, there will be an increased risk of infection,” he said.

“But most people in risk groups are vaccinated, I also think that maybe they should be allowed to let loose a bit after 16 years without a championship. So I’m not offended,” the professor added.

Brøndby is located in Copenhagen’s western suburbs, where areas of increased infection rates have regularly been reported during the pandemic.

“We should also remember we have the season on our side. And we had equivalent conversations last year when there were demonstrations and other things. It won’t get out of control,” Paludan said.

Current coronavirus restrictions in Denmark limit outside public gatherings to 100 people outdoors and 50 people indoors.

But demonstrations can be allowed to exceed the outdoors limit if police are notified and approve them.

This was the case on Monday afternoon in relation to Brøndby’s celebrations, when West Copenhagen Police were notified of three such events.

Member comments

  1. How can this professor, Søren Riis Paludan, say

    “But at the same time we should remember that very many people in risk groups have been vaccinated, so even with increased infections amongst young Brøndby fans, there won’t be many who can pass the infection on and cause serious Covid-19,” Paludan continued.

    Vaccinated persons can still transmit the virus!!!!!!!!

    1. Breakthrough infections among people who are vaccinated are rare and when they occur there tends to be a much lower viral load, making transmission of the virus far less likely. So yes, vaccinated people can transmit the virus, but it is far less likely.

      That said, it is absurd to have a large event such as this in the midst of a pandemic. Young people can and do get sick with this virus. There is still much we do not understand about the long-term health implications of infection with SARS-CoV-2.

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COVID-19

Who should get vaccinated against Covid and flu in Denmark and when?

It is still free to get a Covid-19 vaccine in Denmark if you are over the age of 65 or have a health condition, with the health authorities now running Covid and flu vaccinations together. Here's what you need to know.

Who should get vaccinated against Covid and flu in Denmark and when?

Who is being offered a vaccine for Covid-19 or flu this autumn? 

According to the information on the Danish Health Authority’s website, Covid-19 and flu vaccines are being offered to: 

  • People over the age of 65
  • People under the age of 65 who have a health condition which puts them at increased risk. You can find a list of the long-term health conditions deemed a risk here
  • Pregnant women in the 2nd and 3rd trimester

Children between 2 and 6 years of age are being offered a special flu vaccine for children, which is administered as a nose spray, but not the Covid vaccine (unless they fit one of the categories above). 

Those who have retired early, for whatever reason, are also being offered the flu vaccine but not a Covid-19 vaccine.  

People over the age of 65 and the parents of children between the ages of 2 and 6 will automatically receive an invitation to get vaccinated though their digital postbox at borger.dk, e-Boks and mit.dk.

People in the other eligible categories will not receive an invitation. 

If you have not yet received an invitation, do not worry, as invitations are being staggered over October and the start of November.  

READ ALSO: 

When and where can I get vaccinated? 

This year’s autumn vaccination campaign started on October 1st and will continue until January 15th. 

You can get vaccinated at one of over 50 regional vaccination sites all over Denmark, or at the over 280 local pharmacies which are signed up to be part of the programme. 

Residents of care homes for the elderly and others in need will be offered vaccinated at their home.

You can log in and book an appointment at your nearest centre or pharmacy at Denmark’s official vaccination website www.vacciner.dk.

Is it possible to get vaccinated against both flu and Covid-19 at the same time? 

The Danish Health Authority has judged that it is safe to receive vaccines against both flu and Covid-19 at the same time, but the two vaccines cannot be mixed in the same syringe, so you will receive two separate injections. 

Is vaccination compulsory? 

No. Although the strongly recommends everyone in the various risk categories to get vaccinated, it is up to every individual whether to do so. 

Is it possible to get vaccinated even if I am not over 65 or in a risk group? 

It is no longer possible to get vaccinated against Covid-19 or flu through Denmark’s national vaccination programme if you are not in one of the recommended categories, after the country’s health authorities stopped offering paid vaccinations.  

But it remains possible to get vaccinated at a private vaccination centre, such as the SikkerRejse chain found in most Danish towns. The chain, which has a waiting list, offers doses of the latest Comirnaty Omicron XBB.1.5 vaccine for a total price of 995 kroner. 

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