Government to approve vaccines decree, as first batch arrives Government ministers are set to meet in a special session on Tuesday to approve a decree that will allow Covid-19 vaccinations to begin in Finland. European regulators have approved a marketing authorisation for the first vaccine, from Pfizer-BioNtech, so that a rollout programme can begin. The initial batches of the vaccine, which must be stored at ultra-low temperatures, are also expected to arrive in Finland this week and vaccinations will begin on 27th December, authorities say. Clinical studies show that the vaccine is about 95% effective, meaning that the number of laboratory-confirmed cases of Covid-19 was reduced by 95% in people who received the vaccine compared with those who received the placebo. The vaccine also proved effective in at-risk groups such as people with asthma, chronic lung disease, diabetes, hypertension or who are overweight. The vaccine is given in two doses, with 21 days between vaccinations. According to THL most of the side effects of the vaccine are mild and transient, such as reactions at the injection site such as redness and swelling; as well as fever, headache, muscle and joint pain.