With the new Delta mutation swiftly on the way to becoming the dominant strain in Denmark, the government has moved to hasten the country’s vaccine plan.
Yesterday evening the Health Ministry revealed that it has purchased 1.17 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-vaccine from Romania.
“With the acquired vaccines from Romania, more Danes can be fully vaccinated quickly,” said the health minister, Magnus Heunicke.
“That’s important, particularly due to the unfortunate development regarding the more contagious delta variation.”
According to Heunicke, the deal was made possible because Romania is experiencing a very low rate of people being vaccinated and wants to sell vaccines that won’t be used.
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Example of European co-operation
The State Serum Institute is currently planning the logistics involved in getting the vaccines to Denmark, but it is expected that they will arrive sometime this week.
The health authorities will update the Danish vaccine calendar based on the new dose influx from Romania.
The foreign minister, Jeppe Kofod, said that the deal was made possible due to good diplomatic relations between Denmark and Romania.
“I’m pleased we succeeded and a big thanks goes out to Romania for the good co-operation,” said Kofod.
“As Denmark has donated and loaned out excess vaccines to other countries, this agreement is another strong signal relating to European and international co-operation in the fight against COVID-19.”
According to the health authorities, the Delta mutation now accounts for over 20 percent of all new COVID-19 cases in Denmark.
