On this page, you will find answers to frequently asked questions about influenza vaccinations in Helsinki in autumn 2026.
Who is eligible for an influenza vaccination?
Who belong to the target groups for influenza vaccinations in autumn 2026?
The target groups for influenza vaccinations in autumn 2026 are the following:
- Children aged 6 months to 6 years
- People aged 65 and over
- Pregnant people
- Those entering mandatory or voluntary military service
- People in a medical risk group due to illness or treatment
- Close family and friends of people who are particularly vulnerable to severe influenza. See the question on influenza vaccination for family and friends.
- Health, social welfare and pharmaceutical services staff directly involved in the care or treatment of patients and clients (vaccination mainly provided through occupational health care)
- People living or staying long-term in institutional settings.
Free influenza vaccination is also available to those at risk of avian influenza due to their work or other circumstances.
What are the target groups for the influenza vaccinations based on?
The target groups for influenza vaccinations are based on the recommendations of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). Read more at THL website Influenza vaccine – THL (in Finnish)(Link leads to external service)
Is vaccination free for care home residents as well?
Yes, it is. The wards at Helsinki City Hospitals, senior centres and service homes in Helsinki will handle the vaccination of their own clients. Home care clients who are unable to visit a health station to be vaccinated will receive their vaccination through home care.
I have no underlying medical conditions. Can I still be vaccinated against influenza?
We only administer vaccines to individuals who belong to the target groups specified by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). If you are not in the target groups for vaccination, you can get vaccinated at your own expense at a private clinic. Some employers offer their employees influenza vaccinations through occupational health care.
I am a close friend or family member of someone who is susceptible to influenza. Am I entitled to free vaccination?
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare recommends influenza vaccination for everyone who is in close contact with someone who is susceptible to severe influenza. Some close friends and family members are vaccinated free of charge, while others have to pay for it.
The national programme includes free influenza vaccination to people who live in the same household or have weekly face-to-face contact with
- someone who is particularly susceptible to severe influenza
or
- someone who is susceptible to severe influenza but cannot receive the influenza vaccine.
People who are particularly susceptible to severe influenza include
- those with severe immunodeficiency
- those with serious illnesses
- those aged 65 and over who have underlying medical conditions or are in poor health
- those who are susceptible to severe influenza but cannot be vaccinated
- children under 6 months of age
- those who are pregnant.
The following close contacts must pay to get vaccinated:
- close contacts of people aged 65 and over who do not have underlying medical conditions or are in good health
- close contacts of children over 6 months but under 7 years of age
- some close contacts of people in a risk group due to an illness or treatment.
If you belong to the group of close contacts who can be vaccinated at their own cost, please contact your health station to request a prescription. After this, book a vaccination appointment and bring the vaccine with you to the appointment.
How do I book or cancel an appointment?
When will the booking of vaccination appointments at health stations and maternity and child health clinics open?
For people aged 65 and over, appointment booking for vaccination at health stations will open on 22 September via Maisa and on 23 September via a dedicated telephone service for vaccination bookings on +358 9 310 463 00 (Mon–Fri 8.00–16.00).
For people under 65, appointment booking for vaccination at health stations will open on 7 October via Maisa and the dedicated telephone service for vaccination bookings on +358 9 310 463 00 (Mon–Fri 8.00–16.00).
Vaccination appointment booking for maternity and child health clinic clients will open on 7 October via Maisa and the clinics’ appointment booking telephone number +358 9 310 555 30 (Mon–Fri 8.00–14.00).
Do I need to book an appointment for a vaccination?
If you are going to a health station to be vaccinated, you must book an appointment for the vaccination.
The maternity and child health clinic will vaccinate its clients during health checks between 19 October 2026 and 26 February 2027 and by separate appointment from 2 November till 13 November.
If you have an appointment for a health check between 19 October 2026 and 26 February 2027, you do not need to book a separate appointment for vaccination. You will receive the vaccination during your health check.
If you do not have a health check appointment, you can book a vaccination appointment from 7 October onwards via Maisa or by phone on 09 310 55530, Monday to Friday, 8.00–14.00.
School health care will vaccinate students in risk groups during health checks and by separate appointment. We recommend booking your appointment through Maisa. Please follow your school’s vaccination communications regarding appointments.
Student health care will administer influenza vaccines both by appointment and on designated vaccination days. Please follow your educational institution’s vaccination information.
The wards at Helsinki City Hospital, senior centres and service homes in Helsinki will handle the vaccination of their own clients. These client groups do not need to book an appointment for vaccination.
Home care will vaccinate those home care clients and informal care recipients who are unable to visit a health station to be vaccinated. These clients do not need to book an appointment for vaccination.
How do I cancel an appointment for a vaccination?
You can cancel your vaccination appointment in the Maisa app or at maisa.fi. You must cancel at least 24 hours before your appointment. Please note that there is a charge of EUR 60.60 for any unused and uncancelled appointments for anyone over the age of 18.
If you are unable to cancel your appointment in Maisa, you can cancel a health station appointment by calling +358 9 310 46300, Mon–Fri 8.00–16.00.
You can cancel an appointment at a maternity and child health clinic by calling the appointment booking number +358 9 3105 5530 on weekdays 8.00–14.00 (callback service available on weekdays 8.00–16.00).
How do I book a vaccination appointment at a health station?
We recommend that you book your appointment primarily through the Maisa app or online at maisa.fi.
If you are unable to use Maisa, you can book an appointment by calling the separate appointment booking number +358 9 310 46300 (weekdays 8.00–16.00).
We will open appointment booking for vaccinations at health stations in stages:
- Appointment booking for people aged 65 and over will open on 22 September in Maisa and on 23 September by phone.
- Appointment booking for people under 65 will open on 7 October in Maisa and by phone.
At which health station can I book a vaccination appointment?
You can book a vaccination appointment at a health station in your health station area via Maisa or by calling the dedicated telephone service for vaccination bookings on +358 9 310 463 00 (Mon–Fri 8.00–16.00).
We will offer vaccinations at the following health stations:
Eastern health station area
- Kivikko, Kontula, Myllypuro and Vuosaari Health Stations
Central health station area
- Kalasatama and Laajasalo Health Stations
City centre health station area
- Kivelä and Lauttasaari Health Stations
North-eastern health station area
- Jakomäki, Malmi, Puistola and Suutarila Health Stations
Western health station area
- Haaga, Kannelmäki, Malminkartano, Munkkiniemi and Pitäjänmäki Health Stations
Northern health station area
- Maunula, Oulunkylä, Paloheinä and Pihlajamäki Health Stations
How do I book a vaccination appointment at a maternity and child health clinic?
Maternity and child health clinics administer vaccinations during health checks between 19 October 2026 and 26 February 2027 and by separate appointment from 2 November till 13 November.
- If you have an appointment for a health check during the vaccination period, you do not need to book a separate appointment for vaccination. You will receive the vaccination during your health check.
- If you do not have an appointment booked for a health check, please book a separate appointment for your vaccination. Appointment booking will open on 7 October 2026 via Maisa and by phone. We recommend that you book your appointment primarily through the Maisa app or online at maisa.fi. If you are unable to use Maisa, you can book an appointment by phone by calling the maternity and child health clinic’s appointment booking number +358 9 310 555 30 (Mon–Fri 8.00–14.00, callback service Mon–Fri 8.00–16.00).
Can I book a vaccination appointment for my partner online?
You can book a vaccination appointment for your partner online if you and your partner have signed an agreement on acting on behalf of another person in Maisa.
Read more about acting on behalf of another person in Maisa(Link leads to external service)
If you have made an agreement on acting on behalf of another person with a written authorisation, you can also book a vaccination appointment by phone on +358 9 310 46300, Mon–Fri 8.00–16.00. Read more about making a written authorisation: Acting on behalf of a child or an adult relative at health stations
How do I book a vaccination appointment for my child?
A guardian can book a vaccination appointment on behalf of their child. You can book the appointment via Maisa or by phone.
Read more about acting on behalf of a child:
- Can I Act On Behalf Of My Underage Child(Link leads to external service)
- Acting on behalf of a child or relative at health stations
If I fall ill before my vaccination appointment, what should I do?
Please do not come to your vaccination appointment if you are ill. If you fall ill, cancel or reschedule your appointment in Maisa.
If you are unable to use Maisa, you can cancel or postpone your appointment by phone
- Cancel or postpone your appointment at a health station by calling +358 9 310 46300 on weekdays 8.00–16.00. There is no callback feature in the phone service.
- You can cancel or postpone your appointment at a maternity and child health clinic by calling +358 9 310 55530 on weekdays 8.00–14.00.
- You can cancel a vaccination appointment at school health care by calling your school's school nurse.
Please note that there is a charge of EUR 60.60 for any unused and uncancelled appointments for anyone over the age of 18.
Where and when can I get an influenza vaccination?
Where can I be vaccinated against influenza?
We administer influenza vaccines at health stations to people who belong to the target group for influenza vaccinations.
Maternity and child health clinics vaccinate pregnant people and children between 6 months and 6 years of age.
School and student health care services vaccinate students in schools and educational institutions who belong to the target group for influenza vaccinations. If you are not in the target group for the influenza vaccine but would like to be vaccinated, you can purchase the vaccine at your own expense and make an appointment to be vaccinated by the school nurse at your school or educational institution.
The wards at Helsinki City Hospitals, senior centres and service homes in Helsinki will handle the vaccination of their own clients.
Home care will vaccinate those clients who are unable to visit a health station to be vaccinated.
When can I get vaccinated against influenza at the health station?
We will administer vaccines in stages between 6 October and 20 November 2026.
We will vaccinate
- people over the age of 75 from 6 October onwards
- people under the age of 75 from 19 October onwards.
Can I get the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time?
If you belong to the target groups for both vaccinations, you will receive the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time.
Can I get vaccinated against influenza at the health station or maternity and child health clinic during another appointment?
Yes. We will offer influenza vaccinations to people in the target groups during their other appointments as well.
Can I get vaccinated at home?
If you are a home care client and are unable to visit a health station to be vaccinated, home care will vaccinate you. Home care will inform you of your vaccination appointment. Your informal caregiver can also be vaccinated at the same time if they are in the target group for vaccination.
Home care will also vaccinate those receiving informal care who are not registered as home care clients and who are unable to visit a health station to be vaccinated. If necessary, please contact your client advisor.
How do residents of private care homes or senior centres receive their vaccinations?
Private care homes and senior centres whose accommodation is not covered by Helsinki’s agreements have the option of ordering influenza vaccines directly from HUS Pharmacy and vaccinating their own residents. If the private care home or senior centre where you live does not vaccinate its residents, you can book an appointment at your nearest health station.
I am a Helsinki resident, but I will not be in Helsinki during the vaccination weeks. Can I get vaccinated somewhere else?
If you wish, you can check with the health station where you are staying to see if you can get vaccinated there. If you cannot be vaccinated there, we recommend that you come to get vaccinated at your local health station in Helsinki during the designated vaccination weeks.
I belong to a target group, but I am not a Helsinki resident. Can I get vaccinated in Helsinki?
We vaccinate people belonging to the target groups for influenza vaccination who have chosen Helsinki’s health services as their health service provider (link to the freedom of choice web page: Freedom of choice). We also vaccinate people who are staying in Helsinki for a long period of time.
How do I prepare for my vaccination?
Can I use a Kela taxi to travel to my vaccination appointment?
For information on using Kela taxis, please visit the Kela website: Using a taxi | Our Services | Kela(Link leads to external service)
What should I do at the place of vaccination?
When you come for your vaccination, bring your Kela card or ID with you. Wear clothes that allow you to easily expose your upper arm. Be prepared to stay on the premises for 15 minutes after receiving the vaccine so that any reactions can be observed.
I have had a reaction to the influenza vaccine in the past. What should I do?
Book a daytime vaccination appointment (8.00–15.00) in Maisa or by phone. When you arrive for your vaccination, tell the nurse about your previous reaction. Usually, you can still get vaccinated. If you have previously had a severe allergic reaction, i.e. an anaphylactic reaction, to an influenza vaccine, you cannot receive the vaccine.
If you cannot receive the vaccine yourself but are susceptible to severe influenza, people who are in close contact with you on a regular basis can get the influenza vaccine free of charge.
My family member and I are both in the risk group. Can we get vaccinated at the same time at the health station?
Everyone must book their own vaccination appointment and arrive at the appointed time.
If you and your family member are in the same age group and you live in the same health station area, you can book vaccination appointments close to each other on the same day and at the same health station in Maisa.
Can I do sports or exercise after receiving a vaccine?
You can exercise normally after receiving the influenza vaccine.
What should I know about the influenza vaccine?
Why should I get vaccinated against influenza?
The influenza vaccine protects against influenza and its complications. It is also advisable to get vaccinated against influenza if someone close to you is susceptible to severe influenza.
Which influenza vaccines are being used?
We are using three different influenza vaccines:
- the injectable Influvac vaccine for all age groups
- the injectable Fluad vaccine for people aged 85 and over and severely immunocompromised individuals aged 50 and over
- the Fluenz nasal spray vaccine for children aged 2–6 years.
The Fluad vaccine, which contains an adjuvant, is offered to those with compromised immunity. The vaccine provides them with better and longer-lasting protection than the Influvac vaccine, which does not contain an adjuvant.
For more information on the composition of the vaccines in Finnish and Swedish, please visit the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare website (in Finnish)(Link leads to external service) .
Can someone with an egg allergy receive the influenza vaccine?
People allergic to eggs can usually receive the influenza vaccine, even though it contains some traces of egg protein. Most people will not develop any symptoms. Research suggests that vaccination may also be considered on an individual basis for people who have had an anaphylactic reaction after eating eggs. Influenssarokote - THL (in Finnish)(Link leads to external service)
What side effects does the influenza vaccine have?
The most common side effects of injectable influenza vaccines are local reactions at the injection site, including pain, swelling, redness and warmth.
The most common side effects of nasal spray vaccines are nasal congestion and a very runny nose, which affect more than one in ten people. Rashes are rare.
After vaccination, whether by injection or nasal spray, you may feel slightly unwell and experience muscle or joint pain, as well as general symptoms such as fever, irritability, malaise and headache.
Serious side effects, such as a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), are very rare.
For more information on the possible side effects of the influenza vaccine, please visit the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) website: What side effects can influenza vaccines have? – THL (in Finnish)(Link leads to external service)
Can I still get influenza after getting vaccinated?
Even if you have been vaccinated, you can still get influenza, but your symptoms will usually be milder than those of unvaccinated people. The protection provided by the influenza vaccine varies from one epidemic season to the next. The effectiveness depends on how well the vaccine viruses match the circulating epidemic viruses, among other things.