Background information

In Finland, people can normally get reimbursed for travel costs associated with illness, pregnancy, childbirth or rehabilitation. This reimbursement is administrated by the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (KELA). In normal circumstances, the reimbursement scheme does not cover vaccines. In the spring 2021, the Government decided to temporarily extent the reimbursement for travel costs to the COVID-19 vaccination. The aim is to make sure that everyone who has the right to get the vaccine, has the possibility to do so. In a sparsely populated country like Finland, the distance to the closest vaccination site can be long and the travel costs high, especially for people who cannot use public transport or own a car.

The legal basis of this temporary measure is Act 225/2021 on temporarily amending the Health Insurance Act (1224/2004) (free translation) (in Finnish ‘Laki sairausvakuutuslain väliaikaisesta muuttamisesta 225/2021).

Content of measure

This reimbursement is available for everyone getting the COVID-19 vaccine. The least expensive transportation method should be used to get to the vaccination site. People who cannot use public transportation or who live in areas where public transportation is not available, can get reimbursed for using a taxi instead. If the person taking the vaccine needs someone to accompany them, their costs can also be reimbursed.

There is a €25 co-payment for each one-trip. People using their own car or public transport are compensated afterwards, persons using a taxi are compensated right away.

The estimated total cost of this extension is €2.2 million.

Use of measure

No information available.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Does not apply to businesses	Applies to all citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Social insurance	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Consulted	Consulted
Form	Unknown	Unknown

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: Peak or cross-sectoral level

Involvement

According to the Government Proposal HE 13/2021, experts representing the peak-level social partners and other key stakeholders have been consulted during the design phase of this measure. They do not have a role in the implementing and monitoring of this measure.

Views and reactions

No information available.

Sources

• 18 February 2021: Government Proposal to the Parliament on temporarily amending the Health Insurance Act HE 13/2021 vp [Hallituksen esitys eduskunnalle laiksi sairausvakuutuslain väliaikaisesta muuttamisesta HE 13/2021 vp] (www.eduskunta.fi)
• 26 March 2021: Kela to provide compensation for travel costs associated with COVID-19 vaccinations (www.kela.fi)
• 26 March 2021: Act 225/2021 on temporarily amending the Health Insurance Act [Laki sairausvakuutuslain väliaikaisesta muuttamisesta] (www.finlex.fi)