Booster vaccinations as an adult
In Finland, children receive vaccinations through maternity and child health clinics and school health services. Some childhood and adolescent vaccinations, such as the diphtheria-tetanus vaccine, require booster doses in adulthood to maintain immunity. As an adult, it is your responsibility to ensure your vaccination protection is up to date.
You can check your vaccination history on the health card provided by your school nurse or via the Omakanta service(Link leads to external service) .
Free vaccinations are available at health stations by appointment, in line with the national vaccination programme. Read more about vaccinations
If you were vaccinated in childhood, the booster should be renewed at ages 25, 45, and 65. After that, it is recommended every 10 years.
You can also receive the booster more often if necessary, for example, after an injury.
- If you received the polio vaccine in childhood, a booster is generally not required in Finland.
- However, booster vaccinations are recommended for people travelling to risk areas, those arriving from such areas, and their close contacts. Read more about risk areas on the Terveyskirjasto website(Link leads to external service) (in Finnish).
- If you have received two doses of the MMR vaccine in childhood or have had measles, mumps, or chickenpox, you do not need a booster vaccination.
- If you have not had these diseases and have not received two doses of the MMR vaccine during childhood, a booster vaccination is recommended.
Booking an appointment
You can book your vaccination appointment by phone or through Maisa.
Please note that a penalty fee is charged to people over 18 for missed appointments and appointments that have not been cancelled in time. Read more about how to cancel your appointment
Please note that vaccination appointments in Maisa are limited!
- Visit www.maisa.fi(Link leads to external service) or open the Maisa app.
- Log in using strong identification (online banking credentials, mobile certificate, or certificate card).
- Open the Menu, then select Appointment Booking > Book an Appointment > Health Station Appointment Booking. Please note: You can only book appointments at your own health station.
- Select Vaccination (not COVID-19).
- Choose a suitable time from the available options.
- Press the Confirm appointment button.
- You can view the details of your upcoming appointments on the Events page in Maisa.
Please note: In Maisa, you can also manage matters on behalf of an adult relative if they have granted you access rights. Read more about handling matters for a child or relative at health stations
Each health station has its own phone number, which you can find on the station’s webpage.
Find your local health station
Phone service opening hours:
- Monday to Thursday, 8.00–16.00
- Fridays and the day before public holidays, 8.00–15.00
If the lines are busy, you can leave a callback request.We aim to call you back the same day between 8.00 and 16.00. If we cannot reach you on the first attempt, we will try again. Callbacks may also take place on weekends between 8.00 and 16.00.
Please note: You can handle matters on behalf of an adult relative over the phone if you have a written authorisation to act on their behalf. Read more about handling matters for a child or relative at health stations
