The TBE vaccine provides protection against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE).
Please note that while the TBE vaccine is often called a 'tick vaccine', it does not protect you against ticks or prevent a tick from attaching itself to your skin. The most common disease spread by ticks is borreliosis, i.e. Lyme disease. There is no vaccine against this.
The free-of-charge TBE vaccination series is provided to people who have a permanent address in Karhusaari or a long-term holiday apartment in the area. This vaccination is included in the national vaccination programme. The vaccines are administered at the health stations by appointment only. Book your appointment by calling or messaging your health station in Maisa.
Children aged 7 and younger are vaccinated at Itäkatu Family Centre. Book the appointment by calling the maternity and child health clinic, tel. +358 9 3105 5530 (weekdays 8.00-14.00).
The TBE vaccine will be administered to schoolchildren and students residing in Karhusaari by the school and student health care services. The vaccinations are available from February onwards. You can get vaccinated by contacting the nurse at your school or educational institution.
The vaccine is also recommended to everyone staying in Karhusaari for an extended period of time. They must pay for the vaccine themselves.
Areas in which THL recommends the TBE vaccine, are:
Etelä-Laajasalo (00870)
Jollas/Villinki (00850)
Kivinokka (00810)
Roihuvuori (00820, 00880)
Länsi-Herttoniemi (00800)
Herttoniemenranta (00810)
The vaccine is recommended to permanent and holiday residents of the areas listed above, as well as people often engaging in outdoor activities in these areas. If you belong in one of these groups, you need a prescription, which you can acquire by contacting your health station in Maisa or by phone. You can then buy the vaccine yourself at a pharmacy.
The TBE vaccination series includes three vaccine doses. The vaccination series should be started no later than at the beginning of spring so that two doses can be administered before the summer. It is recommended, that the first two doses are received whilst there is still snow on the ground.
There is no need for the TBE vaccine elsewhere in Helsinki.
How to book a vaccination appointment
You can book a vaccination appointment either 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 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). Individuals over the age of 10 can use Maisa with their own credentials.
- 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.
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
Call your health station’s phone service. Each health station has its own phone number, which you can find on its individual page. Find your health station here
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 8.00–16.00. If we are unable to reach you on the first try, 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 can also act on behalf of an adult relative if a written authorisation for proxy handling has been made. Read more about acting on behalf of a child or relative at health stations