In Helsinki, COVID-19 vaccinations can be obtained from the actual vaccination points, as well as from pop-up points, around the city without an appointment. There are pop-up points in shopping centres and libraries, among others. COVID-19 vaccination is available at more than ten points across the city.
According to Medical Director of Health Stations Timo Lukkarinen at the City of Helsinki, it is worth taking the vaccination now, if you have not yet done so.
– Although there are now fewer applications for tests, the number of cases is still rising. Coronavirus is spreading, especially among the unvaccinated, and is now being emphasized as society continues to open up, Lukkarinen says.
– Someone might think it’s about a “flu” in their own age group, but that’s not the case. Young adults also drift from time to time all the way to intensive care, Lukkarinen adds.
– The vaccination provides very good protection against serious forms of the disease caused by the coronavirus, Lukkarinen reminds.
According to the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), unvaccinated 12- to 79-year-olds have been hospitalized for coronavirus infection 14 times more often than those who have been vaccinated twice in the same age group. In September, 74 percent of those hospitalized were unvaccinated. The risk of hospitalization has been highest in non-vaccinated subjects aged 50-79 years and 18-fold higher than the twice-vaccinated in the same age group.
Helsinki residents have been slightly more active in vaccinations than in any other part of the country
At present, in Helsinki, 85 per cent of those aged 12-years-old and over have received the first dose and 78 per cent both doses. For the whole country, the vaccination coverage is 84.5% for the first dose and 74.1% for both doses.
Lukkarinen thanks the people of Helsinki for actively taking vaccinations and continues to encourage non-vaccinated people to take the vaccine.
– Vaccinations have been taken well in Helsinki, but there is still room for improvement in the vaccination coverage, Lukkarinen says.
– Pop-up points have been attended by 500–1200 people a week. We could vaccinate even more in our pop-up points, Lukkarinen adds.
The vaccination point at Messukeskus will move to Kannelmäki
The vaccination point at Messukeskus will shut down after Friday, 15 October. The vaccination point will move to Kannelmäki and open on 18 October. The Kannelmäki vaccination point is at Kaustisenpolku 6 A. You can also visit the Kannelmäki vaccination point with or without an appointment.
– Messukeskus has served as an excellent vaccination point, but, unfortunately, we were no longer able to extend the lease of the space, Lukkarinen says.
More information on COVID-19 vaccinations: coronavaccination-en.hel.fi
More information about pop-up vaccination points: Pop-up vaccination points
Picture: Virpi Velin