Vaccination of 35-39 age group begins in Helsinki

Helsinki will begin vaccinating local residents belonging to the 35-39 age group from next week, according to the City of Helsinki.

The booking of vaccination appointments will open on Monday, said the City of Helsinki in a press release on Friday.

People born in 1982-1986 can make a vaccination appointment online or over phone.

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 260,000 Helsinki residents have received their first vaccine jab.

More than 90% of persons aged 70 and over have already received the first jab. For 55–69-year-olds, vaccination coverage is 80% or higher. More than 70% of 45–54-year-olds have been vaccinated. The current outlook indicates that vaccination coverage among 40–44-year-olds will shortly increase to about 70%.

“We hope that everyone who can will get vaccinated, even though COVID-19 is less dangerous for young people than seniors. We need help in the battle against the coronavirus to secure a path towards a more normal day-to-day life,” Medical Director of Health Stations Timo Lukkarinen said in a press release Lukkarinen says.

Lukkarinen also reminds that the vaccine alone does not provide full protection. The efficacy of the vaccination against the coronavirus epidemic is based on as many people as possible getting vaccinated.

“Even if you have already been vaccinated, it is still important to observe the protection measures, such as maintaining good hand hygiene and safe distances, wearing a mask, staying home in the event of symptoms and getting tested as necessary. Both jabs provide effective protection especially against severe COVID-19, but current data suggests that vaccinated persons can still infect others, making those without a vaccine vulnerable,” Lukkarinen added.

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.

Two shots of the vaccines are administered. The Pfizer jabs will be administered at an interval of 12 weeks, in accordance with the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare’s recommendation.

The interval for AstraZeneca doses can be shortened to 8 weeks. The vaccine is free of charge and voluntary.