In Helsinki, over 11 000 12–15-year-old children and young people received COVID-19 vaccinations at schools in August, September and October. In the future, 12–15-year-olds can receive COVID-19 vaccinations at vaccination points.
Vaccination coverage for 12–15-year-olds in Helsinki is now 76 percent for the first vaccine dose. The vaccination was provided at schools to everyone aged 12–15-year-old, regardless of which municipality they were from.
In the future, 12–15-year-olds can go to the vaccination points without an appointment. 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.
“Children and young people have been active in getting vaccinated at schools, and we have received valuable feedback on the arrangements. However, there is still room for improvement in terms of vaccine coverage. If you did not have time to go to get vaccinated at school, you can get the vaccine from the vaccination points in Helsinki. The vaccinations protect the young people themselves and their families and friends, especially against severe forms of the coronavirus disease. The protection of the vaccination also ensures that young people can continue their studies in contact teaching and participate in events that are important to them,” says Medical Director Timo Carpèn.
“It is possible to get a COVID-19 vaccination when you are 12-years-old. In other words, those who turn 12-years-old after the school vaccinations can also get a vaccination at vaccination points,” Carpèn adds.
Pfizer or Moderna vaccines are used for vaccinations for children and young people. With THL’s policy, men and boys under the age of 30 will receive the Pfizer vaccine. If a man under the age of 30 has received the first dose with the Moderna vaccine, he will receive the second dose with the Pfizer vaccine.You can find more information about the vaccines on THL's website(Link leads to external service).
12-15-year-olds can decide whether they want to have the vaccination if a healthcare professional administering the vaccine deems them able to make the decision based on their age and development level. 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).
More information
Vaccinations for children and young people - coronavaccination-en.hel.fi
THL
- Frequently asked questions about coronavirus vaccinations for children and
young people(Link leads to external service)
Picture: Virpi Velin