Helsinki starts administering a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to people who received the first and second dose of the vaccine less than six weeks apart at least six months ago.
The group to be vaccinated now includes people aged 85 and over. The vaccinations are administered at the vaccination points and at nursing homes. Currently, a third dose is also being offered to severely immunocompromised individuals.
The third dose is available without an appointment at the vaccination points in Helsinki. Helsinki’s centralised vaccination points, pop-up vaccination points and their opening hours can be found on hel.fi/vaccination. It is also possible to book an appointment at bookcovidvaccine.fi(Link leads to external service) or by phone 09 310 46300 (weekdays 8:00-16:00).
Elderly people in Helsinki will be informed about the third vaccine by SMS, which will be sent during next week.
Nursing home residents will be vaccinated in their nursing homes. Permission for administering the third vaccine dose will be asked from the client or their next of kin. Nursing homes will inform their residents about the vaccinations.
A third vaccine dose can be administered when at least six months have passed since the second dose. Currently, a third dose will not be administered if the person has been infected with coronavirus and has received the first two doses.
The third dose is used to strengthen and prolong the protection afforded by two doses in the case of people who have had their vaccines a long time ago and who have received their vaccines with a reduced interval of less than six weeks.
The efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine against infection and mild coronavirus disease decreases more quickly with a reduced dosing interval. The efficacy against a severe disease remains reasonably good.
As a rule, the vaccine product of the second dose will also be used for the third dose. However, another product may also be used for the third dose, if necessary. mRNA vaccines by Moderna and Pfizer are available.
As of yet, a third vaccine dose is not available for people who have received the first two doses with an interval of over six weeks. The vaccination interval will be checked at the vaccination point.
The coronavirus vaccine is voluntary and free of charge.
More information
Vaccination of Helsinkians - coronavaccination-en.hel.fi
Vaccination points and
pop-up vaccination points
Picture: Virpi Velin
News has been updated 30 September. It is now possible to book an appointment to the third vaccination.