Table 2.
Overview of IPC measures, testing- and vaccination strategies for school-aged children and adolescents across the Nordic countries, autumn 2021 (week 30–41, July 26th – October 17th)
| Denmark | Finland | Iceland | Norway | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All measures in society lifted | Sep 11th (regional mitigation measures may exist) | Sep 30th (regional mitigation measures may exist) | No decision | Sep 25th (regional mitigation measures may exist) | Sep 29th (mitigation measures remain unchanged for unvaccinated individuals) |
| Start of universal vaccination 16–17 y | Week 23 (June 7th) | Week 25 (June 21st) | Week 24 (June 14th) | Week 34 (Aug 23rd) | Week 29 (July 19th) |
| Start of universal vaccination 12–15 y | Week 29 (July 19th) | Week 32 (Aug 9th) | Week 26a (June 28th) | Week 36 (Sep 6th) (Only one dose) | Week 42b (Oct 18th) |
| Testing, isolation, contactc tracing and quarantine | In place | In place | In place | In place | In place |
| General population: Test (2 tests) and quarantine (if unvaccinated) until result of test on day 4. | General population: Quarantine for close contacts, depending on vaccination status. | General population: Quarantine for close contacts, depending on vaccination status. | General population: Quarantine for close contacts, depending on vaccination status. | General population: Quarantine and screening for unvaccinated household and other close contacts. | |
| School (from Sep 9th)d: Primary and lower secondary school: test-to-stay strategy of entire class and other close contacts to replace quarantine (2–3e tests) |
School: Quarantine and testing of classes and other close contacts (test result did not affect quarantine practice). |
School: Test-to-stay for lesser exposures (2 tests)f |
School: Test-to-stay strategy. (2–3e tests or regular testing) (except from unvaccinated household contacts). |
School: Testing of classes and other close contacts. No quarantine. |
|
| Indication for testing |
Symptomatic testing (regardless of vaccination status) Testing of household- and other close contacts Weekly testing recommended for unvaccinated ≥9 years (from Sep 9th) |
Symptomatic testingg. Testing of household- and other close contacts (including school exposures) |
Symptomatic testing. Testing of household- and other close contacts Testing in schools for larger gatherings (school events) |
Symptomatic testing (regardless of vaccination status). Testing of household- and other close contacts Weekly testing in areas/ schools with high incidence/ outbreaks |
Symptomatic testing > 6 years (regardless of vaccination status). Testing of household- and other close contacts > 6 years. |
| IPC measures in schools | General IPC measures (hygiene and stay at home if sick policy) | General IPC measures (hygiene and stay at home if sick policy) | General IPC measures (hygiene and stay at home if sick policy) | General IPC measures (hygiene and stay at home if sick policy) | General IPC measures (hygiene and stay at home if sick policy) |
| No facemasks | Face masks for those 12 years and aboveg. | Facemasks and distancing partly in useh | No facemasks | No facemasks | |
| No cohorting or distance requirements for students | No cohorting or distance requirements for students | No cohorting in school | No cohorting or distance requirements for students | No cohorting or distance requirements for students |
aOpen for vaccination of 12–15- year-olds from week 26, but systematically started week 33/34
bNot initiated during study period
cSmall variations between countries in definition of close contact
dBefore Sep 9th: Close contacts in class/school and household contacts: PCR test on day 4 and 6 from last exposure and quarantine (if unvaccinated) until result of test on day 4
eNumber of tests recommended depending on vaccination status
fIf 1 case in a class; only close contacts in quarantine and test-to-stay strategy for the remaining students (2 tests; day 0 and day 4). If ≥2 cases in same class within 14 days, then quarantine of the class
gRecommendations changed week 41 regarding testing (no testing for those with mild symptoms and fully vaccinated/children < 12, if not exposed), and face mask use (lifted at schools)
hFace masks and distancing recommended for older students (children ≥12 years) during limited periods