Østre Toten kommune

Snarveier

Information about covid-19 in English

Information about covid-19 is only available in English (see more information below). For other languages please use the translate button on top of this page, and choose your preferred language.  

  • The municipality does no longer provide PCR tests.

Upcoming vaccination days in Østre Toten

  • All Thursdays in June at 08.30-11, 12-15 and 16-17.30, 
    except 1 June we close at 15.30.
  • NB! 29. June: Appointments only (tel. 469 28 214 og order digitally)
    All other Thursdays: Appointments and drop-in

The vaccination takes place in Silogata 24 in Lena. We encourage you to book an appointment for your vaccination at tel. 469 28 214, but you can also come on drop-in if you prefer. This applies for everybody aged 12 or older. 

Please remember that the minimum interval between dose 1 and dose 2 is 4 weeks, and the minimum interval between dose 2/dose 3 and dose 3/dose 4 is 20 weeks. For more information regarding vaccination, please see below.

Testing

It is no longer a general advice to take a covid-19 test if you get respiratory symptoms. Free rapid tests are however still available if you want to take a test. You can get free rapid tests at the library at the Town Hall in Lena, and at Esso Skreia and Esso Lena.

Do you have questions about covid-19? 

English: Testing for covid-19
  • Rapid tests (self-test)

    The municipality distributes free rapid tests that are intended for self-testing if you have a respiratory infection (also applies if you have been vaccinated).

    Rapid tests for self-testing can be picked up:

    • At the library in the town hall in Lena:
    • Monday at 10-19
      Tuesday to Friday at 10-15
       
    • Esso gas station Skreia
      Monday to Friday at 06-21
      Saturday at 09-21
      Sunday at 09-21

    • Esso gas station Lena
      Monday to fridag at 07-21
      Saturday at 08-21
      Sunday at 10-21

    • Read more about rapid tests

     

English: Vaccination against covid-19

 

  • Who and how to get vaccinated in Østre Toten

    Vaccination is the one most effective infection control measurement.

    • All citizens 16 years and older are strongly recommended to get vaccinated with at least 2 vaccine doses.
    • People 18 years or older can get a 3rd dose. 
    • If you are 45 years or older, or 18 years and older who belong to risk groups (have underlying diseases), you are strongly recommended to take a 3rd dose. 
    • Persons 65 years or older are reccomended to take a 4th dose.
    • Fram March 2023: Persons 75 years or older are recommended to take a 5th dose.
    • Children that have reached 5 years of age can also be vaccinated with 2 doses.
    • An extra dose of vaccine with Pfizer or Moderna is also recommended to those who have received the Janssen vaccine, which is a single-dose vaccine. 

    Children and youth below 16 years need consent from both parents to get vaccinated.

    Citizens 12 years or older can drop-in or for corona-vaccine at the vaccination centre at Silogata 24 in Lena in the opening hours.

    • The minimum interval between dose 1 and dose 2 is 4 weeks.
    • The minimum interval between dose 2 and dose 3 is 20 weeks
    • The minimum interval between dose 3 and dose 4 is 2o weeks 

    If you have questions regarding vaccination, do not hesitate to call us at 469 28 214 (Monday to Friday at 0830-11 and 12-1430).

    Why should you get vaccinated?

    Covid-19 is a contagious and potentially very serious disease.

    Vaccination is voluntary. Anyone over the age of 16 who does not have severe acute allergies is however strongly advised to get vaccinated. Østre Toten municipality recommends that as many people as possible take the vaccine. By getting vaccinated, you avoid getting seriously ill.

    You can infect others even if you have been vaccinated. It is therefore recommended to keep your distance to vulnerable persons if you are having respiratory symptoms.

    Both the vaccine and the vaccination are free of charge. 

    More information about vaccination

    Dose 3 and refreshment dose 4 to persons with severely weakened immune system

    The Norwegian Institute of Public Health recommends that patients with severely weakened immune system takes a 3rd dose of covid-19 vaccine, at a minimum of 4 weeks following dose 2. This applies regardless of your age. This dose is considered a part of the basic vaccination program. This group is also offered a 4th vaccine dose as a refreshment dose.

    Who does this apply to?

    The offer applies to people of all ages with more defined conditions, and people undergo or have recently undergone immunosuppressive treatment. Those who belong to this group will receive information through the GP or specialist health service, or can check the list of relevant medicines on a separate list.

    Here you will find an overview of who is recommended to take vaccine 3 and refreshment dose 4 - both which conditions are included, and an overview of which medications this applies to (in Norwegian).

    There may also be others with severely compromised immune systems who are not on this list, who should have the vaccine. This will then be an assessment made by the specialist health service.

    Refreshment dose (dose 4)

    The current recommended interval between dose 3 and refreshment dose (dose 4) is 5 months. However, as of 15 December, the health authorities have allowed the interval between the 3rd dose in the basic vaccination and the refresher dose for this group to be reduced to as little as 3 months.

    It is important to be aware of the following: A refreshing dose is an extra dose of vaccine for people who have had the effect of the vaccine doses in the primary vaccination series, but who over time lose part of the protection. To get the best possible effect from a refreshing dose, the immune system needs time to mature. Longer intervals between doses can provide higher and more long-lasting protection. This must be weighed against the need for faster protection at a shorter interval.

    If you are sure from this overview that you should have dose 3/dose 4, you do not have to wait for a letter from the health service or contact the vaccine center in advance. However, if you have medical issues related to dose 3, you need to clarify this with your GP or specialist health service.

    What kind of documentation do I need to bring to the vaccination?

    It is important to have documentation with the vaccine center that shows that you belong to the group that will have the vaccine dose 4. This can be, for example, a letter from the GP or the specialist health service showing that you have one of the conditions / diseases covered by the scheme. If you use one of the medicines in the list referred to above, you can include, for example, a prescription, a medicine pack with your name on it, or something else that shows that you are using this medicine.

    Persons who by a responsible medical specialist are considered to have a severely impaired immune system and who are not part of one of the groups mentioned in the link above, must have their own vaccine letter from the specialist health service. In addition, you must bring personal identification.

    Vaccination of youth 12 to 17 years old (born 2005-2010)
    • 16- and 17-year-olds (born 2005 and 2006) are recommended to take two doses of the corona vaccination
      Youth that have had covid-19 does only need 1 vaccine dose from a medical point of view; but this might be desirable to get a covid-19 certificate.
    • 12- to 15-years-olds (born 2007 to 2010) is offered two vaccine doses.
      12-15-years-olds that have had covid-19 does not need to get vaccinated from a medical point of view; but this might be desirable to get a covid-19 certificate.
    • Dose 3 is only offered to persons that has turned 18.

    The vaccine that will be offered is Pfizer / BioNTech (Comirnaty), which is approved from 12 years of age. 12- to 17-year-olds will be given the vaccine with an interval between the first and second dose of preferably 12 weeks, no less than 8 weeks.

    Children and adolescents aged 12 ore more with a serious underlying disease have long been offered the vaccine, and this recommendation still applies. This group is offered three doses.

    Necessary consent and documentation

    Children aged 12 to 15 are not of legal age under health law. Covid-19 vaccination requires the consent of the person or persons who have parental responsibility. If parental responsibility is shared, both parents must therefore consent to vaccination. This applies also if the parents lives togeter.

    Please bring the consent of the parent or guardians who have parental responsibility with you to the vaccination. In the case of shared parental responsibility, both parents MUST consent. If one of the guardians lives far away, for example, a picture of the signed form can be used as documentation. Consent form for vaccination can be found in different languages here.

    The adolescent should be accompanied to the vaccination by an adult caregiver. If this person is not one of the guardians, documentation MUST also include one of the guardians' full social security numbers (for example, a photo / copy of the guardian's passport / driver's license). This comes in addition to the consent form. The vaccine can not be given if consent and necessary documentation is not submitted.

    Vaccination is voluntary and free

    We emphasize that vaccination of 12- to 15-year-olds is an offer at the individual level for those who want it, and not a recommendation to prevent the spread of infection. Read the information you find in the links below carefully. Talk to your child about the vaccination. Young people under 16 should be heard based on age and maturity, and their own opinion should be emphasized. 

    More information in various languages

     

    Vaccination of children 5 to 11 years old (born 2011 to 2017)

    Children aged 5 to 11 are also offered the coronary vaccine. The offer applies to children born in the years 2011 (who have not reached the age of 12), 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 as well as those born in 2017 who have reached the age of 5. No exceptions are made for this lower age limit.

    The offer is most relevant for:

    • Children with chronic diseases (equivalent groups recommended flu vaccine)
    • Families where children have close contact with people with special needs for protection
    • Children who have an increased risk because they will move to or stay in countries with a higher risk of infection or poorer access to health services than in Norway, or children who for other reasons live in a vulnerable situation

    Children 5 to 11 can have 2 vaccine doses, but the medical recommondation is 1 dose. Children that have had covid-19 infection is not recommended to get vaccinated, but this is still possible if the parents wants them to.

    Children 5 to 11 years old with a serious underlying disease is recommended to take 2 vaccine doses.

    Vaccination days for 5- to 11-year olds

    • 21 April at 08.30-11 and 12-14.30 (appointment booking and drop-in) -> book an appointment here

    This age group can not be vaccinated on other vaccination days, since they must have a special children vaccine that comes in 10-dose vials. 

    Necessary consent and documentation

    Children 5 to 11 years are not of legal age under health law. Covid-19 vaccination requires the consent of the person or persons who have parental responsibility. If parental responsibility is shared, both parents must therefore consent to vaccination. This applies also if the parents lives togeter.

    Please bring the consent of the parent or guardians who have parental responsibility with you to the vaccination. In the case of shared parental responsibility, both parents MUST consent. If one of the guardians lives far away, for example, a picture of the signed form can be used as documentation. Consent form for vaccination can be found in different languages here.

    The adolescent should be accompanied to the vaccination by an adult caregiver. If this person is not one of the guardians, documentation MUST also include one of the guardians' full social security numbers (for example, a photo / copy of the guardian's passport / driver's license). This comes in addition to the consent form. The vaccine can not be given if consent and necessary documentation is not submitted.

    Vaccination is voluntary and free

    We emphasize that vaccination of 5- to 11-year-olds is an offer at the individual level for those who want it, and not a recommendation to prevent the spread of infection. Read the information you find in the links below carefully. Talk to your child about the vaccination. Young people under 16 should be heard based on age and maturity, and their own opinion should be emphasized. 

    More information in various languages

    Where and when does the vaccination take place?
    • Everyone will be vaccinated at the vaccine centre in Silogata 24 in Lena (see map).
    • Look at the front page for an update on vaccination days
    • If it is not possible for you to come during the regular opening hours, or you need customization to get vaccinated, pleas do not hesitate to call us at telephone 469 28 214 (Monday to Friday 08.3011 and 12-14.30).
         
    • You must organize the ride to and from the vaccination site yourself. Travel expenses will not be covered.
    • Arrive at the agreed time. Do not arrive more than 5 minutes before your appointment.
    • Notify us as soon as possible if you are prevented from showing up for your appointment, to prevent the vaccine dose from being wasted.
    • Cancel your appointment via the link in the SMS that confirmed your appointment.
    • You must be healthy without symptoms of respiratory infection when you are to be vaccinated.
    • We recommend that everyone wears a face mask in the vaccination area. Infection control rules must be followed. Please keep a distance of 1 meters from others.
    • Wait in your designated seat for 20 minutes after the vaccine has been given.
    • Dose 2 must be taken after a minimum of 4 weeks, to get the full effect of the vaccine.
    • Refreshment dose (dose 3) can be taken after a minimum of 4,5 month after dose 2
    Information about the vaccines

    The vaccine currently in use is given twice a few weeks apart. The vaccine takes full effect between one and two weeks after the last dose. Other vaccines may come later that should only be given once.

    We use the type(s) of vaccine approved for use in Norway at all times. Updated information about this may always be found on the municipality's website.

    All vaccines can cause side effects. Most side effects are mild, short-lived and occur one to three days after vaccination. Known side effects of the coronary vaccine include injection site pain, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, joint pain, chills and fever.

    • Comirnaty (BioNTech/Pfizer)
      This was the first vaccine to be used in Norway. It is given in 2 doses with a minimum of 3 weeks apart.
      Persons below 30 years are recommended to use this vaccine.
      Read more about the Comirnaty vaccine here.
       
    • Moderna (Moderna)
      This vaccine is given in two doses at a minimum of 4 weeks apart. It is considered to be very similar to the Comirnaty vaccine.
      Read more about the Moderna vaccine here.
       
    • Nuvaxovid (Novavax) is no longer provided
      The Nuvaxoid vaccine was approved by The Norwegian institute of Public Healt in January 2022, and will be available in mid March. Østre Toten municipality will offer this vaccina on request. Pleas contact us on telephone 469 28 214 if you want this vaccine. 

    • AstraZeneca - NOT IN USE IN NORWAY ANYMORE
      This vaccine was used in February, and is given in 2 doses at a recommended interval of 7-12 weeks. In Norway, it was only approved for people under 65 years of age. It is only given to priority health professionals. 12 May 2021 the government decided that the AstraZeneca vaccine will no longer be used in Norway because of rare, but serious side effects (blood clot).

    • Janssen - NOT OFFERED BY THE MUNICIPALITY
      The Janssen vaccine is based on the same technology as AstraZeneca, and may cause severe blood clot, and will not be a part of the regular vaccine program in norway.
      The government decided 12 May 2021 that the Janssen vaccine may be offered to volunteers, but has not yet specified this further.
    Vaccination against seasonal influenza

    Everyone is encouraged to take this seasons flu vaccine in addition to the corona vaccine, especially if you are in a risk group. The recommended interval between the flu vaccine and the corona vaccine is 1 week.

    To get the influenza vaccine, please call your medical centre. The influenza vaccine is given there, NOT at the vaccine centre in Lena.

     

Information in other languages

Underneath each link you will find information in different languages.

General information 

Information about vaccination

Infection control measures

Kindergarten and school