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 the postal code area 00800 (Länsi-Herttoniemi) or Karhusaari or a long-term holiday apartment in the area. This vaccination is included in the national vaccination programme.
Children and young people in early childhood and basic education in these areas are also provided with the vaccine series free of charge.
Booster shots for those who have already received three vaccine doses are not included in the vaccination programme but can be purchased.
The vaccine is also recommended to everyone staying in Länsi-Herttoniemi or Karhusaari for an extended period of time. They must pay for the vaccine themselves.
Areas in which THL recommends the TBE vaccine in Helsink, are:
- Santahamina (00860, new addition to the vaccination recommendation)
- Östersundom (00890, new addition to the vaccination recommendation)
- Malminkartano (00410, new addition to the vaccination recommendation)
- Viikki (00790, new addition to the vaccination recommendation)
- Etelä-Laajasalo (00870)
- Jollas/Villinki (00850)
- Kivinokka (00810)
- Roihuvuori (00820, 00880)
- 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.
The vaccinations for Helsinki residents who spend time in other municipalities
Free vaccinations are available through the wellbeing services county in which the vaccination programme area is located. You can also receive the vaccination in Helsinki, but you must pay for it yourself. You can check which areas are covered by the TBE vaccine recommendation on the website of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (in Finnish).(Link leads to external service)
Target groups for vaccination
| Target group | How to get vaccinated |
|---|---|
| Permanent residents aged 3 years and older in the 00800 postal code area (Länsi-Herttoniemi) or Karhusaari, as well as those living in holiday homes in these areas on a long-term basis | You can get vaccinated at the health station by making an appointment. Children under 7 years of age can get vaccinated at the Itäkatu Family Centre, while schoolchildren and students receive their vaccinations through the nurse at their school or educational institution. |
| Children under 7 years of age attending early childhood education in an early childhood education unit located in the postal code area 00800 (Länsi-Herttoniemi) or Karhusaari | The children can get vaccinated at the Itäkatu Family Centre. |
| Pupils attending primary or lower secondary education in the 00800 postal code area (Länsi-Herttoniemi) or Karhusaari | The pupils can get vaccinated at school. |
| Helsinki residents staying long-term in an area outside Helsinki that is covered by the vaccination programme | You can get the free vaccination from the wellbeing services county where the area covered by the vaccination programme is located. You can also get vaccinated in Helsinki, but you will have to pay for it yourself. |
| Target group | How to get vaccinated |
|---|---|
| People who spend time in nature and green areas in the 00800 postal code area (Länsi-Herttoniemi) or Karhusaari, as well as those who frequently spend time outdoors in these areas | Vaccination is recommended, but you must pay for the vaccine yourself. You need a prescription for the vaccination. You can get vaccinated at the health station by making an appointment. Vaccinations are also given at maternity and child health clinics and in school and student health care. |
| Permanent and holiday residents who spend time in nature and green areas in Etelä-Laajasalo, Herttoniemenranta, Jollas/Villinki, Kivinokka, Malminkartano, Roihuvuori, Santahamina, Viikki or Östersundom, as well as people who spend a lot of time outdoors in these areas | Vaccination is recommended, but you must pay for the vaccine yourself. You need a prescription for the vaccination. You can get vaccinated at the health station by making an appointment. Vaccinations are also given at maternity and child health clinics and in school and student health care. |
| Permanent and holiday residents who spend time in nature and green areas in an area outside Helsinki covered by the vaccination programme, as well as people who spend a lot of time outdoors in such areas | Vaccination is recommended, but you must pay for the vaccine yourself. You need a prescription for the vaccination. You can get vaccinated at the health station by making an appointment. Vaccinations are also given at maternity and child health clinics and in school and student health care. |