Helsinki starts to vaccinate 40-44 age group

Helsinki will begin vaccinating local residents belonging to the 40-44 age group on Tuesday, according to the City of Helsinki.

People born in 1977-1981 can make a vaccination appointment online or over phone.

The fastest way to book an appointment is to use the online service. The appointment booking number is available on weekdays 08:00–18:00.

Vaccinations are being carried out at the vaccination points of Jätkäsaari, Messukeskus, Malmi and Myllypuro.

Vaccines will be administered in Helsinki without delay as they become available. At the moment, more than 230,000 Helsinki residents have received their first vaccine jab.

According to Helsinki City Hospital’s Medical Director Laura Pikkarainen, some benefits are already evident.

“For example, among nursing home residents who received both vaccine doses in January–February, no coronavirus infections have been discovered since the beginning of April. Restrictions on nursing home visits have also been loosened. This is a concrete example that gives us all hope of a return to more normal day-to-day living as the vaccinations proceed,” Pikkarainen said.

Pikkarainen also points out that, even though vaccinations are progressing and case numbers are fairly low, everyone still needs to stay motivated and observe the coronavirus protection guidelines.

The City of Helsinki uses two different vaccines. People aged 16–64-year-old are currently being given the Pfizer vaccine. At present, people aged 65 years old and over are vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine or, if they wish, the Pfizer vaccine. The selection can be made via both online and telephone appointments. The specific type of vaccine cannot be chosen at the vaccination point.