- Norway’s to provide free of cost vaccine to all its citizens
- The vaccine would be obtained through deals with EU and pharma companies
- Norway is also a part of WHO-backed COVAX, a global scheme for the distribution of Covid vaccines
THD NewsDesk, Norway: Norway is all set to introduce a completely free of cost vaccine against COVID-19 free fir its citizens as soon as the deal is finalized. In all likelihood, this scheme would be incorporated into Norway’s national vaccination program.
Norway would be acquiring the vaccine parcels through the deals with pharmaceutical companies negotiated by the European Union. Though the country is part of the European single market, it is still not a member of the European Union. Therefore, Norway will be seeking the help of its neighbor Sweden. Sweden being an EU member, can directly purchase vaccines via deals finalized by the EU and further sell them to Norway.
Norway Prime Minister Erna Solberg declared in a statement,
“We want as many people as possible to get the offer of receiving a safe and effective vaccine. This is why vaccination will be free of charge.”
“The EU has so far entered into agreements with three different vaccine manufacturers and is negotiating agreements with several other manufacturers. These agreements cover Norway through resale agreements with Sweden,” the government said in the statement.
Norway’s government has substantially controlled the spread of the pandemic. Being the European country with the least number of active Covid cases currently, Norway has no immediate need for vaccines. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the country’s 14-day tally of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants was 34.3.
Norway is being lauded for its efficient management of the Covid pandemic and its contribution to global initiatives like COVAX. COVAX is the WHO-backed, international scheme for the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. 171 nations are also a part of this scheme, including China. However, the initiative has faced opposition from both the US and Russia.
