A friend sent this to me from Finland. Varha = area health service
Varha to start distributing iodine tablets to children under 3 in June
6.6.2023
The distribution of iodine tablets suitable for children under 3 years of age will start in the welfare area of Southwest Finland in week 23. The product will also be supplied to the appropriate health care units for administration to young children.
In November 2022, the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority STUK announced that public health services will purchase iodine tablets suitable for children under 3 years of age. The iodine tablets will be distributed from paediatric clinics, as there is currently no potassium iodide strength suitable for administration to children under 3 years of age available in pharmacies.
The distribution of iodine tablets will start in week 23 in the South-West Finland welfare area. The iodine product to be used is 'Potassium iodide G.L. Pharma 65 mg 10 tabl'. The clinics in the region will have their own times to collect the product. The collection times for iodine tablets will be published on Monday 5 June 2023 on the varha.fi website at www.varha.fi/lasten-joditabletit. If you have already booked an appointment with a clinic within one month of the start of the distribution, you will receive the iodine product at the time of your appointment and will not need to make a separate visit. In future, the product will be distributed to parents of newborn babies at the first antenatal visit.
The iodine tablets are accompanied by detailed instructions for use and are kept at home as a precautionary measure only.
For children over three years of age, pregnant women and adults up to 40 years of age, iodine tablets are purchased from the pharmacy itself, following the STM guidelines (pdf)
Taken at the right time, iodine tablets saturate the thyroid gland with normal non-radioactive iodine and prevent the accumulation of radioactive iodine in the thyroid gland. Radioactive iodine is eliminated from the body through the kidneys. If taken too early or too late, the protective effect of the tablet is reduced. An iodine tablet protects only the thyroid gland, it does not reduce other exposures.
When should iodine tablets be used?
Iodine tablets are only used if prescribed by the emergency services. An iodine tablet should never be taken on its own.
The emergency authority will issue a hazard statement if people should take shelter inside or use iodine tablets.
The first line of defence in a radiological emergency is to shelter in place. This is the most effective way to reduce radiation exposure.
Taking iodine tablets is a secondary support measure.
Translated with DeepL
Varha to start distributing iodine tablets to children under 3 in June
6.6.2023
The distribution of iodine tablets suitable for children under 3 years of age will start in the welfare area of Southwest Finland in week 23. The product will also be supplied to the appropriate health care units for administration to young children.
In November 2022, the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority STUK announced that public health services will purchase iodine tablets suitable for children under 3 years of age. The iodine tablets will be distributed from paediatric clinics, as there is currently no potassium iodide strength suitable for administration to children under 3 years of age available in pharmacies.
The distribution of iodine tablets will start in week 23 in the South-West Finland welfare area. The iodine product to be used is 'Potassium iodide G.L. Pharma 65 mg 10 tabl'. The clinics in the region will have their own times to collect the product. The collection times for iodine tablets will be published on Monday 5 June 2023 on the varha.fi website at www.varha.fi/lasten-joditabletit. If you have already booked an appointment with a clinic within one month of the start of the distribution, you will receive the iodine product at the time of your appointment and will not need to make a separate visit. In future, the product will be distributed to parents of newborn babies at the first antenatal visit.
The iodine tablets are accompanied by detailed instructions for use and are kept at home as a precautionary measure only.
For children over three years of age, pregnant women and adults up to 40 years of age, iodine tablets are purchased from the pharmacy itself, following the STM guidelines (pdf)
Taken at the right time, iodine tablets saturate the thyroid gland with normal non-radioactive iodine and prevent the accumulation of radioactive iodine in the thyroid gland. Radioactive iodine is eliminated from the body through the kidneys. If taken too early or too late, the protective effect of the tablet is reduced. An iodine tablet protects only the thyroid gland, it does not reduce other exposures.
When should iodine tablets be used?
Iodine tablets are only used if prescribed by the emergency services. An iodine tablet should never be taken on its own.
The emergency authority will issue a hazard statement if people should take shelter inside or use iodine tablets.
The first line of defence in a radiological emergency is to shelter in place. This is the most effective way to reduce radiation exposure.
Taking iodine tablets is a secondary support measure.
Translated with DeepL
![[Image: MIDRXfB.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/MIDRXfB.jpg)
