Denmark prepared to purchase Israeli COVID-19 vaccines

PM Mette Frederiksen is concerned about whether the EU vaccine rollout will be efficient enough

Denmark proved on Friday that it was capable of vaccinating enough people in one day to reach its goal of protecting 2 million people aged 16-65 by June 27.

Now the government is working to ensure it will have enough doses at hand to follow through.

And according to PM Mette Frederiksen, that may require looking outside the EU.

Later this week, Frederiksen will travel to Israel with Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz to look into potentially acquiring excess vaccines from outside the EU.

“We need to significantly increase our vaccine production, and one co-operation partner I believe in a lot is Israel,” Frederiksen told TV2 News.

READ ALSO: All systems go: Denmark’s vaccination program passes Big Friday with flying colours!

Better to be prepared
The PM said that Denmark would be interested in buying excess vaccines from any country, as long as the vaccine is approved by the European Medicines Agency.

A number of vaccine producers have been unable to fulfill their deliveries to the EU recently, prompting some EU countries to seek alternative avenues.

The Czech Republic, for instance, could turn to the Russian-produced Sputnik vaccine without the EU’s approval.

Frederiksen wouldn’t rule out Denmark producing its own vaccine down the road.

“We may end up in a position where we not only need to vaccinate, but also revaccinate and produce a new vaccine every year. And who knows, maybe more often that that,” she said.




  • Ellie Owens (Fleurdellie): “Internationals feel powerless, but soon realize no one wants to kick them out”

    Ellie Owens (Fleurdellie): “Internationals feel powerless, but soon realize no one wants to kick them out”

    Content creator Ellie Owens reveals the struggles and joys of expat life, from navigating a new culture to thriving as a parent in Denmark’s family-friendly society, while building a successful career on social media.

  • Pharma boom sparks Danish economy – yet consumers are worried about Trump

    Pharma boom sparks Danish economy – yet consumers are worried about Trump

    Denmark faces a contradiction. On the one hand, Danish economy is booming, and the pharma industry is contributing to massive investments in increased defense. On the other hand, consumers are very skeptical, even though all indicators should give reason for optimism

  • “Our Copenhagen on islands”

    “Our Copenhagen on islands”

    While local politicians are working on strategies for protecting the city against future flooding, architect groups interested in climate adaptation, are instead trying to re-think the very fundamentals of Copenhagen city planning. One of these groups is Schønherr with their project “Copenhagen Islands”.

  • New agreement secures important school year for international students

    New agreement secures important school year for international students

    It will still be possible for international schools to offer education in the school year corresponding to 10th grade, also called year 11. 10 million each year is allocated to maintain the offer for internationals with children in Danish schools

  • Denmark rearms: 120 billion DKK defense plan presented

    Denmark rearms: 120 billion DKK defense plan presented

    The Danish government is massively increasing investment in defense. According to the Prime Minister, the Chief of Defense must “buy, buy, buy.” A highly unusual announcement from the Prime Minister, who will have to find money for the purchases at some point.

  • Copenhagen under water

    Copenhagen under water

    Copenhagen is facing growing risks from rising sea levels and stronger storms, with large parts of the city potentially flooded in the future. While sea levels themselves will rise by approximately 54 to 74 cm, 500,000 houses and buildings are at risk of being flooded in the next 50 years. Is there a plan to address one of the biggest challenges in the city’s history?