Østre Toten kommune

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

  • Thursdays in October, November and December
  • Appointments only (tel. 469 28 214 og order digitally)

The vaccination now takes place in Vågevegen 44, Lena (see map here). 

Please remember that the minimum interval between dose 1 and dose 2 is 4 weeks, and the minimum interval between other doses is 20 weeks. The intervall between the corona vaccine and other vaccines must be minimum 7 days. For more information regarding vaccination, please see below.

We does not have waiting fascilities, so we are not able to seat you before your appointment.

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

    How to use rapid tests from the municipality

     

English: Vaccination against covid-19

 

  • Who and how to get vaccinated in Østre Toten

    Vaccination is the one most effective infection control measurement.

    How and where to get vaccinated

    We do not offer drop-in anymore. Make an appointment here or call 469 28 214 Monday, Wednesday and Fridays at 13-15 hours.

    The vaccination takes place in Vågevegen 44 at Lena (white house); see map here. Please do not come before your scheduled appointment, since we don't have a waiting room.

    Who should get a refreshment dose?

    These groups are recommended to take a refreshment dose autumn 2023:

    • Age 65 and older, and nursing home residents
    • Age 18-64 which is part of a risk group 
    • Age 12-17 with a serious underlying disease
    • Age 5-11 with a serious underlying disease, according to individual assessment from the doctor
    • Pregnants

    It is also an offer, but not a recommendation, to other people for a refresher dose due to travel, study stays, family reasons or other circumstances.

    There is no recommendation on a refresher dose for healthcare personnel.

    Who should get basic vaccination?

    For unvaccinated people in the following groups, basic vaccination is still recommended if this has not been completed. This also applies if you have had corona:

    • 65 years and older
    • Age 18–64 who are part of a risk group
    • Children and young people aged 5 to 17 with a serious underlying illness
    • Children between 6 months and 4 years with a serious underlying disease, after individual assessment
    • Pregnants

    See more information further down the page about which health conditions/diseases make you part of a risk group, and what are considered serious underlying diseases.

    All persons aged 5 and over are still offered basic vaccination.

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

    Interval between doses

    • The minimum interval between dose 1 and dose 2 is 4 weeks.
    • The minimum interval between other doses is 20 weeks

    Do you have questions?

    If you have questions regarding vaccination, do not hesitate to call us at 469 28 214 (Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 13-15).

    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

    Persons with severely weakened immune system

    The Norwegian Institute of Public Health recommends that patients with severely weakened immune system takes refresment doses when recommended. This applies regardless of your age. 

    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 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.

     

    Vaccination of youth 12 to 17 years old
    • 16- and 17-year-olds are recommended to take two doses of the corona vaccination
    • 12- to 15-years-olds is offered two vaccine doses.

    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

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

    Other children aged 5 to 11 are also offered the covid-19 vaccine. The offer applies to children 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.

    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

    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. The ground vaccination is given in 2 doses with a minimum of 3 weeks apart.
      Read more about the Comirnaty vaccine here.
       
    • Moderna (Moderna) is no longer provided
      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.