Vaccinations in the Wellbeing Services County of Central Finland will follow the instructions issued by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
Influenza and coronavirus vaccinations
In accordance with the recommendations issued by THL, the following groups may receive a free COVID-19 vaccine:
- elderly care home residents
- clients of home care services
- all those over 80 years old
- persons of all ages who are severely immunocompromised
For more information about who is considered to be severely immunocompromised, see the following page (only available in Finnish and Swedish) on the THL website: Kuka on voimakkaasti immuunipuutteinen? – THL
The following are eligible for free-of-charge influenza vaccinations:
- those who are pregnant
- everyone aged 65 years old and above
- children under seven years old
- men starting their national service and women starting voluntary military service
- social care and healthcare services and pharmaceutical services personnel who are directly involved in patient and client care or treatment
- the immediate circle of individuals who are particularly susceptible to severe influenza
- those who belong to a risk group due to an illness or treatment (THL.fi) (those who belong to these risk groups will be offered both influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations free of charge).
You may receive an influenza vaccination also at your own expense
Those who do not belong to a risk group may receive an influenza vaccination at their own expense. You can renew your prescription from last year via the Omakanta service. You can request a new vaccine prescription using the chat service or by calling your own health centre.
The influenza vaccine protects against influenza (also known as flu) and its secondary diseases, such as ear infection, bronchitis, pneumonia, myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular disorder. Vaccination is the best protection against influenza. However, it does not protect against colds. Under the national programme, the influenza vaccine is given free of charge to those whose health is substantially threatened by influenza or whose health benefits from the vaccine are significant.
If you have booked an appointment for your vaccination, please arrive about 10 minutes before the appointment time.
Only come to your appointment if you are in good health. Bring your Kela card or driving license with you. Please take into consideration in your choice of clothing that the vaccination is given in the upper arm. We advise wearing clothes that are easy to remove in this area for your appointment. After the vaccination, you will be asked to wait for about 15 minutes at the health centre.