What vaccinations do I need?
The coverage of influenza vaccinations varies in different parts of Finland and it is mostly too low. About one-third of children in the national vaccination programme have been vaccinated. From people over 65 years only about 50 percent get vaccinated each year. Influenza vaccinations for basic healthy children are currently given to children aged 6 months to 6 years in Finland. Influenza vaccine is suitable for everybody over 6 months. It is recommended to take the vaccine well before flu season. November is good time to get this vaccine in Finland!
The WHO especially recommends the pneumococcal vaccine for small children and those over 65 years of age. This vaccination is only included for small children in the national vaccination programme in Finland. For adults the vaccine can be given from the age of 50 and to younger adults also depending on the risk.
Tick-born encephalitis vaccine (TBE)
TBE-virus is found in different parts of Finland, for example in Åland, the Turku archipelago, coastal areas and near the eastern border. TBE-virus is common in the Baltic countries and parts of central Europe. The prevalence of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus in Finland has expanded and protection against the virus without the vaccine can be difficult. Virus transmission from ticks is rapid and daily tick inspections do not help to reduce the risk of this disease.
Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (dtap vaccine)
It is especially advisable for people over the age of 25 to check when they have last taken a booster against, tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (dtap vaccine). It surprises many people that the tetanus protection provided by the vaccine is valid for a limited time.
Tetanus protection is necessary for all ages. Herd immunity does not protect against tetanus as it does not spread from person to person. Tetanus vaccine (dT or dtap) helps the body to defend against the toxins secreted by the tetanus and difteria bacteria.
Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by a virus. Hepatitis A is transmitted through food, drink and poor hygiene and there is no medication for it. Hepatitis B is also a viral liver infection and is spread through blood and sexual contact. It can become chronic and cause liver cancer. Hepatitis B can also be contracted when a tattoo or piercing is done with poor hygiene. Hepatitis B is transmitted by an estimated 400 million people worldwide, or more than one in twenty people. The vaccine can be given when a person travels to a country where hepatitis A and B are present.
Shingles becomes very common after the age of 50. Shingles impairs the quality of life due to neural pain. The pain can be long-lasting and difficult to ease. The disease is typically not life-threatening. When infecting facial area the virus sometimes causes permanent damage to the eye. The vaccine can be given from the age of 50 and to younger adults also depending on the risk.
Contact our vaccination clinics for more information!
