Vaccinations are free of charge for the risk groups defined by THL. For seasonal vaccinations, we follow THL’s recommendations and schedule, which will be confirmed later.
Generally healthy individuals under the age of 65 who do not have underlying health conditions that increase the risk of severe influenza are not eligible for a free flu vaccination. If you wish, you can get vaccinated at your own expense at a private clinic, through occupational health care, or at a pharmacy.
Who belongs to the risk groups?
Flu vaccination is recommended for the following groups:
- People aged 65 and over
- Pregnant people
- Children under 7 years old
- Individuals at risk due to illness or treatment. See the detailed description of risk groups on the THL website (in Finnish)(Link leads to external service)
- Those beginning military or voluntary military service
- Social welfare, health care and pharmaceutical staff (receive the vaccination via occupational health care)
- Close contacts of people who are particularly vulnerable to severe influenza. See the THL website for more information on close contacts (in Finnish)(Link leads to external service)
Enhanced Fluad Tetra vaccine
The enhanced Fluad Tetra flu vaccine is provided free of charge:
- to people aged 85 and over
- to people aged 50 and over with severe immunodeficiency
If you do not belong to either of these groups, you can get the vaccine at a private medical clinic.
How to book an appointment for the influenza vaccine
- You can check available appointments through the Maisa service or by calling your local health station.
- Please bring your Kela card or another form of identification to the vaccination appointment.
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 available vaccination times 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.
- If you wish to receive both the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, book a Coronavirus Vaccination appointment. You will receive both vaccines during the same visit. If you only want the flu vaccine, book a Vaccination (not COVID) appointment.
- Choose a suitable time and confirm your booking.
- Press the Confirm appointment button.
- You can view the details of your upcoming appointments on the Events page in Maisa.
People aged over 10 can use Maisa with their own credentials.
Please note: In Maisa, you can act on behalf of your child. You can also act on behalf of an adult relative if they have authorised you to do so. Read more about acting on behalf of a child or loved one at health stations
Please note: Each person to be vaccinated must have their own appointment.
You can also book an appointment by calling your health station’s phone service. Each health station has its own phone number, which you can find on its page.
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 return your call the same day between 8.00 and 16.00.If we cannot reach you the first time, we will call again. Callbacks may also take place on weekends between 8.00 and 16.00.
Please note: You can act on behalf of your child over the phone. You may also act on behalf of an adult relative if you have provided written authorisation. Read more about acting on behalf of a child or relative at health stations
Vaccinations in institutions, home care, maternity clinics, and school and student health care
Hospitals, senior centres, service homes and home care services in Helsinki are responsible for vaccinating their own clients.
- Hospital wards, senior centres and service homes in Helsinki provide vaccinations directly to their own clients.
- Home care clients and their informal caregivers who are eligible under the vaccination recommendation will receive their vaccinations through home care services.
- Home care staff will contact clients directly to arrange the vaccinations. This also applies to clients receiving home care through purchased services.
- Vaccinations for this group typically begin in early autumn.
Pregnant people and children aged 6 months to 6 years will receive the flu vaccination during their autumn health check-ups.
- Students with severe immunodeficiency can inquire about vaccination appointments from the centralised student health care service.
- Contact information: tel. +358 50 310 5547(Link starts a phone call)
- Students in risk groups, as well as those entitled to vaccination due to a vulnerable person in their close circle, receive the influenza vaccine at their own school.
- For more information about vaccinations at your school, please contact the school nurse.
