Vaccinations off to good start

Helsinki has started vaccinating its residents against the covid-19 coronavirus. Vaccinations are being purchased for the entire population, so every resident who wants to be vaccinated will be free to do so.

Vaccination progress depends on how quickly the pharmaceutical companies can produce and distribute the vaccines. So far, the rollout has prioritised social and healthcare workers, seniors, and those at high risk of contracting the disease. As of 10 March, healthcare professionals in the city had already vaccinated 97 per cent of Helsinki residents over the age of 85.

The city aims to provide the free vaccine to every Helsinki resident over the age of 16. It is administering vaccines by appointment only in the districts of Jätkäsaari, Malmi and Myllypuro, as well as at the Messukeskus fair and convention centre in Pasila.

If you belong to a group that is scheduled for vaccination, you can make an appointment online at bookcovidvaccine.fi or call tel. 09 310 46300 on weekdays between 8:00–18:00. You can check if you are currently eligible for the vaccination on the city’s vaccination website coronavaccination-en.hel.fi.

All of the vaccines that are currently in use in Finland prevent covid-19 very effectively. Their safety and efficacy have been tested on tens of thousands of people. Any vaccine that has been approved for public use must provide the best possible protection with minimum side effects.

The AstraZeneca vaccine is being administered to people under 70 in Finland, but there is not yet enough research-based evidence of its effectiveness for people older than this, so this age group is receiving the equally safe BioNTech-Pfizer’s mRNA vaccine.

Both of the vaccines require two doses. The healthcare professional administering the vaccine will announce the date and place of the second dose in connection with the first dose appointment. The booking system will soon have a function for making both appointments at once. Recipients gain optimal protection about a week after the second dose.

Helsinki residents should continue to follow the current recommendations and restrictions, even after they have received vaccinations. Until further notice, we all need to maintain safe distances, wear a mask and observe good hand and coughing hygiene in order to stay safe.