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COVID-19

Danish health authority director urges country to bring back coronapas

The director of the Danish Health Authority Søren Brostrøm has called for politicians to reintroduce requirements for the country's Covid-19 health pass, the coronapas.

Published: 5 November 2021 13:18 CET
The director of the Danish Health Authority, Søren Brostrøm, who has added weight to calls for the country to reinstate its Covid-19 health pass amid surging infections.
The director of the Danish Health Authority, Søren Brostrøm, who has added weight to calls for the country to reinstate its Covid-19 health pass amid surging infections. Photo: Martin Sylvest/Ritzau Scanpix

In comments to broadcaster TV2, Brostrøm asked parliament to support a move to bring back requirements to use the health pass to access certain services and locations in Denmark.

“My recommendation goes to politicians and parliament because these are political decisions,” Brostrøm told TV2.

“Medically, I see it as a good option at cafes, restaurants, concerts and in nightlife. It would be a good idea at this time,” Brostrøm said.

The director of the national health authority also said he was concerned about the robustness of the health system given the current surge of infections in Denmark.

Previous requirements for use of a valid coronapas were lifted on September 1st, but with Covid-19 infection numbers currently soaring in Denmark, experts have already called for the health pass to be brought back into use to stem infection spread.

Brostrøm added weight to these calls by asking politicians to reintroduce the coronapas.

The ‘corona passport’ certifies that the holder has had a negative test in the last 72 hours, a vaccination or has recently recovered from Covid-19, conferring immunity to the disease.

Because of a change in the classification of Covid-19, the government must now have parliamentary backing to introduce most restrictions against the coronavirus, including coronapas requirements.

Specifically, this means support in parliament’s epidemic committee for upgrading the classification of Covid-19 to a “critical threat to society”, as was the case until September this year.

Parliament could also vote through restrictions on an individual basis.

READ ALSO: How likely is the return of Covid-19 restrictions in Denmark?

The Conservative Party on Friday said it does not favour bringing back the documentation for accessing places like restaurants and bars.

“Test capacity has already been increased a lot so infected people can be identified and isolated. Those measured should be given a chance to work before we start speaking about the coronapas,” the party’s health spokesperson Per Larsen said.

Another right wing party, the Danish People’s Party, earlier confirmed its opposition to reinstating coronapas rules while the left wing Socialist People’s Party (SF) said it agrees with Brostrøm.

“I think it’s a good idea to reintroduce the coronapas because infections are increasing dramatically in Danish society. It is one of the most interventionist methods we can put into effect to ensure people are vaccinated or tested,” the party’s leader Pia Olsen Dyhr said.

“We need that if we are to get infections under control again,” she added.

Thursday’s total of 2,598 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 was the highest in Denmark so far in 2021.

A total of 246 people were currently hospitalised with Covid-19 in Denmark on Thursday, almost three times the 86 who were admitted with the virus one month ago.

READ ALSO: Denmark records highest number of daily Covid-19 infections this year

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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.

Published: 26 October 2023 11:10 CEST
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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