Helsinki offers 4th vaccine dose to 60–69 age group

The City of Helsinki has offered fourth COVID vaccine dose to people from 60 years to 69 years, said a press release on Monday.

The fourth booster dose of the vaccine can be administered when a minimum of three months has passed since receiving the third dose. People need to book an appointment to get vaccinated.

The booking for vaccination could be made either by online or making phone call from Monday to Friday at 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

‘’We recommend that as many people as possible over the age of 60 get the fourth dose of the vaccine. Taking the vaccine is the best way to protect yourself from developing a serious illness from COVID-19’’, said Timo Lukkarinen, the Medical Director of health stations. 

‘’To avoid queues at the vaccination points, we hope that customers do not arrive at the site long before their booked appointment’’, Lukkarinen said.

To get vaccinated, people need to prove identity, for example, with an identity card or Kela card.

The fourth dose of the corona vaccine is Pfizer’s mRNA vaccine.

The fourth dose, however, will not be given to persons who have received three doses and, in addition, recovered from a coronavirus infection, as having suffered the disease is equivalent to receiving one vaccine dose.

Note that the interval between getting vaccinated and suffering a COVID-19 infection must be at least 6 weeks for the infection to be considered as equivalent to a dose of the vaccine.

Appointment booking for the fourth corona vaccination dose opened last week for persons aged 18 and above who belong to risk groups. Vaccination of these groups is ongoing.