Administration of the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to begin in upper secondary schools and vocational institutions

News about COVID-19 vaccination in upper secondary schools and vocational institutions.
Laastaria painetaan rokotuskohtaan.

Students in upper secondary schools and vocational institutions can receive the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at their school from 13 October onwards. Students can also receive their second dose at vaccination points or pop-up vaccination points. 

The vaccination will be provided at educational institutions to all students regardless of their municipality of residence. The first group of general upper secondary schools and vocational schools are providing vaccinations on 13–15 October, and the vaccinations will continue in week 43. More detailed schedules will be provided via Wilma. The vaccinations at educational institutions will not require advance registration. 

In Helsinki, the vaccination coverage for the first dose of the vaccine for 16–19-year-olds is 78%.

If a student has received the first vaccine at the City’s vaccination point, they can receive the second vaccine at their educational institution after six weeks of the first vaccine.

Students can now also get their first dose of the vaccine if they have not yet received it.

“It is only with the second dose that the protective efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine reaches optimal levels. That is why we hope that young people will be active in taking the second dose. It is now very easy to get the vaccine in schools. The protection of the vaccination ensures that they can continue their studies in contact teaching and participate in events that are important to them,” says Medical Director Timo Carpèn.

16–19-year-olds can also go to the vaccination points without an appointment. If a guardian wants to be present, the vaccination is administered at a vaccination point. You can also book an appointment for the vaccination at bookcovidvaccine.fi(Link leads to external service) or by calling tel. 09 310 46300 (on weekdays 8:00–16:00). A guardian can also book the appointment for a minor.

Information on all vaccination points and pop-up vaccination points can be found at hel.fi/vaccination.

Pfizer or Moderna vaccines are used for vaccinations for children and young people. According to instructions from The National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), men and boys under the age of 30 will receive the Pfizer vaccination. If a male under the age of 30 has been vaccinated once with the Moderna vaccination, their second vaccination will be the Pfizer vaccination. For more information about vaccines, please visit the website of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL)(Link leads to external service).

Young people can decide for themselves to be vaccinated. If a young person does not want to or is not able to make the decision regarding their vaccination, administering the vaccine requires the guardians’ consent. Consent can be given with this form(Link leads to external service).

If a child or young person over the age of 10 needs a COVID-19 certificate, and they cannot download or print it out from Omakanta personally, they can pick up the certificate from a Helsinki vaccination point without appointment.

Picture: Virpi Velin