Adult chickenpox vaccinations have begun – the vaccine is offered to those who have not had the disease or received vaccinations
Chickenpox can be a serious disease, especially for pregnant people and individuals with weakened immune systems. Wellbeing services counties are responsible for organising the vaccinations and communicating about them regionally.
Chickenpox, i.e. varicella, is a highly contagious viral disease. In adulthood, varicella usually causes a severe clinical illness. The risk of complications also increases with age. In addition, the virus remains dormant in the body and may later reactivate as shingles.
Beginning in August 2026, varicella vaccinations under the national vaccination programme are offered to all adults who have not had the disease or received two vaccine doses.
This applies to people aged 20–50 years, because virtually everyone over the age of 50 has immunity against varicella as a result of having had the disease. People under 20 years of age have been offered varicella vaccination as part of the national vaccination programme.
The target group for the vaccinations is estimated to include 1–3 per cent of adults under the age of 50. THL recommends that vaccinations be started with those at higher risk, such as people planning a pregnancy and individuals who are about to begin medication or treatment that weakens the immune system. The vaccine is available free of charge from one’s local health centre.
“If a person who belongs to the target group for vaccination does not know whether they have had chickenpox or received the vaccine, we particularly recommend that young adults ask their parents about it. On the other hand, if someone in the family has had chickenpox, the whole family has usually had it,” says Mia Kontio, Chief Specialist at THL.
THL proposes that vaccinations be administered in connection with other healthcare visits, such as student healthcare services, conscription medical examinations, family planning clinics, and at the same time with the dtap vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis that is offered at the age of 25.
Varicella vaccinations for children were introduced in 2017
Varicella vaccines were added to Finland’s childhood vaccination programme in 2017. People born in 2006 were the first age group to be offered the vaccinations, meaning that childhood vaccinations have so far protected those under the age of 20.
The varicella vaccination series consists of two vaccine doses. They are offered to all children through child health clinics at 18 months of age and at six years of age. In recent years, approximately 90 per cent of each age cohort has received the varicella vaccine.
Adults are offered the same vaccine product, Varivax, that is already used for children. A previously started vaccination series that was not completed does not need to be restarted; it is sufficient to complete the protection with a second dose.
Further information
THL Working Paper: Varicella vaccinations in the national vaccination programme (in Finnish)
Varicella vaccine (in Finnish)
Mia Kontio
Chief Specialist
THL
Tel. +358 29 524 8365
[email protected]
Anni Koivisto
Specialist
THL
[email protected]