Free influenza vaccinations for risk groups to begin in October – vaccine with adjuvant recommended for people aged over 85
Many wellbeing services counties will begin offering influenza vaccinations to at-risk groups in October. A vaccine with an adjuvant – which creates a stronger immune response – is recommended to people aged 85 and above to ensure better vaccine protection that will last for the entire influenza season. The influenza epidemic has not yet begun in Finland.
Influenza can be a serious illness which may cause severe secondary diseases, including pneumonia, for those in at-risk groups. Influenza vaccine helps prevent the spread of the virus, protecting the health of the recipient and that of others.
The national influenza vaccination programme for the 2024–2025 influenza season uses the injectable VaxigripTetra vaccine for all age groups. For children aged 2–6, the Fluenz nasal spray vaccine is also available.
In addition, the Fluad Tetra vaccine containing an adjuvant is offered to people aged 85 and above and people aged 50 and above with severe immunodeficiency. This vaccine is likely to provide them with somewhat better and longer-lasting protection than the Vaxigrip Tetra vaccine, which does not contain an adjuvant. Fluad Tetra is currently being distributed to wellbeing services counties.
“We have learned from previous seasons that, especially for older people, the protection of traditional influenza vaccines declines over time, which is why THL recommends getting vaccinated a little later in the autumn. This way, the protective effect will be better sustained throughout the influenza season”, says Hanna Nohynek, Chief Physician at THL.
The World Health Organization WHO identifies annually the virus strains that are most likely to cause influenza.
The influenza epidemic has not yet started
The influenza epidemic has not yet begun in Finland. By early October, only occasional findings of influenza have been reported to THL’s National Infectious Diseases Register.
In Finland, the seasonal influenza epidemic usually takes place between November and April. The highest number of cases are usually diagnosed after the turn of the year, in February and March. However, after the covid-19 pandemic, influenza seasons have started somewhat earlier, with the epidemic reaching its peak already at the turn of the year.
THL is monitoring the development of the influenza situation and regularly updates the information on its website.
Wellbeing services counties inform where and when different at-risk groups can get vaccinated
Wellbeing services counties provide information about arrangements for influenza vaccinations in their respective areas and when and where vaccines are administered.
A free influenza vaccine is available as part of the national vaccination programme to those for whom influenza is an essential health risk, or who gain significant health benefits from the vaccination.
This group comprises:
- all persons aged 65 and above
- children aged under 7
- those who are pregnant
- those in risk groups because of their illness or treatment
- men starting their military service and women starting their voluntary military service.
In addition, influenza vaccine is offered free of charge to:
- social welfare, health care and pharmaceutical service personnel who participate in the immediate care or maintenance of patients and clients
- the close family and friends of people at especially high risk of severe influenza.
Those who are not entitled to a free influenza vaccination may buy the vaccine at a pharmacy with a doctor's prescription and have it injected at a health centre, for example. The vaccines are also available at private medical clinics. Some employers offer their employees influenza vaccinations through occupational healthcare.
Covid-19 vaccine can also be taken along with the influenza vaccine
According to THL's recommendation, people aged 65 and above and people in risk groups aged 18 and above are also offered a free covid-19 vaccine at their influenza vaccination visit.
The recommendation applies to the groups at risk of severe covid-19 disease who have not yet received a booster this autumn.
“About 250,000 covid-19 vaccinations have already been administered this autumn. For the target groups in THL's recommendation, the SARS-CoV-2 virus can still cause a serious disease, similarly to influenza, which is why it is important that people in these groups also get the covid-19 vaccine this autumn,” says Anniina Virkku, Medical Specialist at THL.
Additional information
Hanna Nohynek
Chief Physician (vaccinations and vaccines)
THL
tel. +358 29 524 8246
[email protected]
Anniina Virkku
Medical Specialist (vaccinations and vaccines)
THL
[email protected]
Niina Ikonen
Senior Specialist (influenza monitoring)
THL
tel. +358 29 524 8413
[email protected]
