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Governments and ministers You can browse the information on the site by government, minister, ministerial title and ministry. All ministers are listed for each government, along with their terms of office. The information on individual ministers i...

Governments and ministers You can browse the information on the site by government, minister, ministerial title and ministry. All ministers are listed for each government, along with their terms of office. The information on individual ministers i...

27.6.2025 | The President of the Republic has approved the new amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) at the national level. The Finnish Parliament adopted the IHR amendments in its plenary session on 18 June 2025. The IHR are an international legal instrument to prevent, protect against, control and provide a public health response to the international spread of communicable diseases.

31.10.2023 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has launched an overall reform of the Communicable Diseases Act, which is to be implemented in 2023–2025. The reform aims to intensify the prevention of communicable diseases and to strengthen preparedness for epidemics and pandemics.

10.1.2024 | In the first phase of the national health and wellbeing programme Terveydeksi (‘To Your Health’), concrete measures will be selected based on scientific expertise. The implementation of the measures in the second phase will start in autumn 2024. 

27.1.2025 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health requests comments on a draft government proposal for nationally implementing the amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR). Comments can be submitted between 27 January and 7 March 2025.

16.9.2024 | A good working life is the cornerstone of society. Ensuring health and safety at work is an important prerequisite for a good working life. The policy for the work environment and wellbeing at work until 2030 entitled ‘Safe and healthy working conditions and work ability for everyone’ defines the objectives and priorities concerning health and safety at work in Finland.

19.12.2024 | The Government proposes amendments to the Act on Organising Healthcare and Social Welfare Services concerning preparedness, readiness and incident management in both normal and emergency conditions. The proposal is based on the Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government.

19.3.2024 | The World Health Organization (WHO) is preparing a pandemic treaty to improve global pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. The next round of treaty negotiations will be held in Geneva on 18–29 March, and Finland will take part in the negotiations.

25.11.2021 | With a view to the need to enhance the population’s vaccination coverage in line with the epidemiological situation in autumn 2021, Finland’s COVID-19 vaccination strategy will be updated. Vaccines are the most effective way to protect the population from the COVID-19 disease and to curb the coronavirus epidemic. Vaccines are available free of charge to all those who want them and who have no health-related impediment to being vaccinated.

13.6.2024 | Avian influenza vaccines will be offered to people who may be exposed to avian influenza. Vaccinations are scheduled to start as soon as possible.

19.6.2024 | The EU ministers will meet at the Employment, Social Affairs, Health and Consumer Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 20 and 21 June 2024. The items of the ministers' agenda include the social dimension of the single market, the revision of pharmaceutical legislation, the health sector's role in crisis preparedness, and the possibility of adopting a Council Recommendation on vaccine-preventable cancers.

2.10.2024 | Ministers responsible for forest affairs in Europe signed a declaration on the development of sustainable forest management and decided to set up a facility that will focus on anticipating and managing the risks to forests. The declaration was signed by 35 Member States and supported by more than 20 observer organisations. Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah represented Finland at the Conference, held in Bonn, Germany on 1–2 October 2024.

28.8.2024 | A wide range of national and international experts have gathered in Finland to find solutions for supporting healthcare and social welfare personnel’s mental health, wellbeing and ability to cope at work. This two-day seminar in Helsinki is organised jointly by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the Regional Office for Europe of the World Health Organization (WHO).

27.1.2026 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo is in China for an official visit from 24 to 29 January. On Tuesday 27 January, Prime Minister Orpo met for separate discussions with President Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Li Qiang and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Zhao Leji. In all three discussions, Prime Minister Orpo highlighted Finland’s and Europe’s support for Ukraine, EU-China relations and a variety of bilateral issues, including increasing Finland’s exports to China.

29.6.2023 | The Government has approved an amendment to the Government Decree on Communicable Diseases by which COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus will no longer be classified as a generally hazardous communicable disease. In future, COVID-19 will be defined as a monitored communicable disease. The amended Decree is scheduled to enter into force on 30 June 2023.

7.3.2024 | On Thursday 7 March 2024, the Government appointed Taneli Puumalainen as Director General of the Department for Safety, Security and Health at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. The appointment is for a fixed term until 30 April 2027.

26.4.2024 | VALTIONEUVOSTO PL 23, 00023 Valtioneuvosto vn.fi p. 0295 16001 STATSRÅDET PB 23, 00023 Statsrådet vn.fi/sv Tfn 0295 16001 1(5) Prime Minister Orpo’s Government spending limits discussion 15–16 April 2024 Entries in the meeting minutes State of gen...

25.7.2023 | In Finland, exceptionally large numbers of deaths have been recorded this summer among wild birds as a result of the A(H5) virus infection. Avian influenza viruses are poorly transmitted from animals to humans or from person to person.

12.6.2025 | From 1 July 2025 onwards, pregnant people will be offered the whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine as part of the national vaccination programme. Studies show that vaccination during pregnancy is effective in protecting newborns from getting whooping cough. The vaccine is safe for both the mother and the foetus. Having the vaccine will be voluntary.