The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) said in a statement Wednesday that the country was clear of swine influenza but the agency went on to urge members of the public to carry on having themselves vaccinated in preparation for the next flu season.

According to the agency about half of the population had been vaccinated.

"It has been estimated that if about two-thirds of the population was vaccinated swine influenza would not become an epidemic again," the THL statement said.

STT