Seasonal influenza vaccinations start in stages in Turku

The risk groups for influenza vaccinations are the same as before. The vaccination is free of charge for:

• children (over 6 months and under 7 years of age)
• people belonging to risk groups due to illness (for example, diagnosed asthma requiring repeated or regular medication, diabetes treated with medication or insulin, chronic heart disease, chronic lung disease, chronic metabolic disorder, chronic liver disease, illness or treatment that weakens the immune system, chronic neurological disorder or neuromuscular disease. More information (in Finnish) here.)
• social welfare and health care personnel and medical care personnel
• people aged 65 or over
• pregnant people
• people starting their military service or voluntary military service
• close contacts of people who are particularly susceptible to serious influenza.

Vaccinations for regular home care clients are provided by the home care area.

If a person is not included in a risk group, they may ask for a vaccine prescription by calling the coronavirus and influenza vaccination helpline at +358 2 266 0159 (Mon–Fri 8–14) or via the electronic health care service eTerveyspalvelut.  After getting a prescription, the recipient buys the vaccine from a pharmacy and has it administered either at the Satakunnantie vaccination clinic or at child health clinic or student health care. Getting vaccinated with a self-bought vaccine at the Satakunnantie vaccination reception requires an appointment.

Influenza vaccinations for children and pregnant persons

Children aged 6 months to 6 years and parents of children under 6 months old can get an influenza vaccination without a separate appointment, either during a child health clinic visit or at an influenza vaccination event organised at child health clinics. The vaccine is the Vaxigrip Tetra influenza vaccine, administered as an injection. Alternatively, the Fluenz Tetra nasal spray vaccine can be administered to children aged 2–6 years old.

Pregnant persons and their spouses can get vaccinated at the Satakunnantie vaccination clinic from 17 to 28 October without an appointment. As of 31 October, vaccinations will only be available with an appointment.

Several no-appointment pop up vaccination events will be organised at child health clinics in Turku for children and pregnant persons in November and December. Up-to-date schedules are available at: turku.fi/influenssa. In addition, children aged 5 to 6 can get vaccinated at the Satakunnantie vaccination clinic starting 17 October without an appointment until the end of the year. The Satakunnantie vaccination clinic only offers the injected Vaxigrip Tetra vaccine.

Vaccinations for social, health care and medical care personnel

Social, health care and medical care personnel can get vaccinated for influenza on 17–28 October at the Satakunnantie vaccination reception without an appointment.

Influenza vaccinations of schoolchildren and students

Influenza vaccinations of schoolchildren and students have began on Monday 17 October at the Satakunnantie vaccination reception at Satakunnantie 105. The Satakunnantie vaccination reception will offer influenza vaccinations without an appointment to young people and children over the age of 5. As further described above, people in risk groups, people who are susceptible to serious influenza, and close contacts of people who are particularly susceptible to serious influenza are entitled to free influenza vaccinations.

Booster dose of coronavirus vaccine is recommended with influenza vaccine

As the influenza vaccinations start, the number of previous coronavirus vaccines will no longer be counted. Instead, everyone aged 65 or over, people in medical risk groups aged over 18, and people with severe immune deficiencies aged 12 or over are recommended to get the coronavirus vaccine together with the influenza vaccine. The booster dose can be given if 3 months have passed from the previous coronavirus vaccination or having the disease.