Vaccinations Against Influenza and COVID-19: Updates for Autumn 2024
The Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare (THL) has issued new recommendations for influenza and COVID-19 vaccines administered in autumn 2024.
THL recommends that nursing home residents, home care clients, everyone aged 80 or older, and severely immunocompromised individuals receive the COVID-19 vaccine earlier than usual this autumn. Vaccinations should commence as soon as the vaccines delivered to Finland. The Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County will follow these recommendations. Thus, the aforementioned groups will be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccinations.
In addition, the aforementioned at-risk groups will receive the influenza vaccine separately in November. The reason for not providing the influenza vaccine earlier is that the protection provided by the vaccine weans off relatively quickly, particularly among at-risk groups.
Western Uusimaa residents aged 75-79 years will receive the influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations at the same time in October. We will publish a more detailed scheduled once we receive information from THL regarding the delivery time and availability of the vaccines.
The majority of influenza vaccines will be administered from November onwards, like in the previous years.
Individuals over 65 and those over 18 with underlying conditions that increase the risk of a severe COVID infection may also obtain the COVID-19 vaccine while getting their influenza vaccine in November.
Appointments can be booked around 2 weeks before vaccinations commence
The Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County will provide influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations according to the THL recommendations. We will inform you about the schedule for appointment booking in more detail on our website. Our aim is to be able to open appointment booking approximately 2 weeks before the vaccinations are set to start. Please note that you should book your appointment for your own health station.
For up-to-date information on seasonal vaccinations in Western Uusimaa, visit: www.luvn.fi/en/seasonal-vaccinations
Read more:
THL press release (in Finnish): https://thl.fi/-/thl-suosittelee-koronarokotteen-tehosteannosta-iakkaille-ja-tietyille-riskiryhmille-syksylla-rokotukset-aiempaa-aikaisemmin(external link)