Influenza

There are three different kinds of seasonal influenza vaccines available in Finland: quadrivalent injected vaccine, quadrivalent high-dose vaccine for people age 60 and older and quadrivalent nasal spray vaccine for childer age 2 to 17 years. You can get seasonal influenza vaccine easily from our vaccination clinics in Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Turku.  All our clinincs give drop-in vaccinations. Nasal spray for children is no longer available for season 2022-2023.

Influenza is a long-term and troublesome disease with a relatively high risk of complication in people with poor health. The disease begins with muscle aches, headaches and high fever. After the initial symptoms, cough is the predominant symptom, other symptoms include sore throat and nausea. The runny nose is usually not very severe. The total duration of fever is often 5 to 6 days. Possible complications after influenza are ear infections, sinuitis, pneumonia, and myositis, including myocarditis.

The flu vaccine is planned for each year of the coming flu season. The recommendation for the composition of the vaccine comes from the World Health Organization. The vaccine is based on the occurring virus strains and the evaluation of the causes of the upcoming epidemic. The effectiveness of the influenza vaccine varies yearly. In studies, efficacy has typically been in the range between 30% and 90%.

Influenza vaccine – who is it recommended for?

Influenza vaccines are especially recommended for people at risk-groups. These include many people with different health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes or asthma. Also small children under 6 years and people over 65 years are included in the risk-groups. Influenza can be a difficult disease to anyone dispite of age or health status. Vaccination is an easy way to protect yourself from this infection and from possible complications. 

There are only few contraindications to taking the influenza vaccine. Severe egg-allergy or allergic reaction from previous vaccination is a contraindication to taking the flu vaccination.

Contact our clinics with questions of influenza vaccination!