Municipalities may begin coronavirus vaccinations of all 12–15-year-olds
Increasing vaccine volumes speed up vaccination of entire population.
From next week, municipalities may begin coronavirus vaccinations of all young people aged 12–15. The Government amended the Decree on coronavirus vaccination on 5 August so that all those aged 12 or over may from now on be vaccinated in Finland. The decree will enter into force on Monday 9 August. Before only those aged 12 to 15 who were at risk of severe coronavirus disease were offered the coronavirus vaccine.
Municipalities are responsible for coronavirus vaccinations and themselves decide how to organise the vaccination of young people. Vaccinations can be given as part of school health care or at coronavirus vaccination points where other people are also vaccinated.
"Municipalities will inform people of when the vaccinations of all 12–15-year-olds will begin and where they can be vaccinated. In principle, vaccinations could start immediately on Monday, but the municipalities may require some time, of course, to make the practical arrangements," says Medical Specialist Anna Scherleitner from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.
Vaccination protects the vaccinated young person and those close to them
By taking the vaccination, the young person can protect themselves and their family and friends from coronavirus disease and, in particular, from its more serious forms. Although healthy young people rarely suffer from serious coronavirus disease, it is still possible for young people to require hospital treatment or experience prolonged symptoms or secondary diseases.
"Through vaccinations, we can prevent the need for new coronavirus restrictions. To strengthen the well-being of young people, it would be important to reduce the need for restrictions on young people's school attendance, hobbies and other social encounters," says Scherleitner.
Increase in vaccine quantities speeding up vaccinations
A Biontech-Pfizer Comirnaty vaccine or Moderna Spikevax vaccine may be offered to people aged 12–15. They both have a conditional marketing authorisation for vaccinations of people of this age.
"In the coming weeks, we will receive around 200,000 more Comirnaty doses then we had previously expected. There are plenty of vaccines available for both 12–15-year-olds and older age groups. It is expected that the vaccination rate among the entire population will remain good," says Scherleitner.
Both Comirnaty and Spikevax are mRNA vaccines that provide good protection against coronavirus disease and excellent protection against its severe forms.
Research that preceded the marketing authorisations showed that the adverse vaccine effects experienced by young people are similar to those for older age groups. The most common adverse effects observed were mild and transient, such as pain and redness at the injection site, headaches and fever.
One very rare adverse effect for recipients of an mRNA vaccine has been myocarditis or pericarditis, which are both heart conditions. Such cases have been observed especially in young men following their second vaccine dose, and the symptoms have started within 14 days of vaccination. The symptoms have in most cases been the same as in myocarditis in general and the patients have recovered well. THL and Fimea are currently investigating how common these infections are in Finland among both vaccinated and unvaccinated people.
Minors may decide on whether to receive a coronavirus vaccination according to their age and level of development
Minors may decide for themselves to take a COVID-19 vaccine if a healthcare professional considers that they are able to decide on their treatment based on their age and development level. There is no age limit in the law for the child's right to self-determination, which is why the matter is assessed on a case-by-case basis. This is also the case for other vaccines.
If the young person is unable to make decisions on their care, the consent of the guardians is required for the vaccination decision. In these situations, the municipality arranging the vaccination requests such consent.
The coronavirus vaccine is voluntary and free of charge to all.
THL will be running an online public event on children's coronavirus vaccinations on Thursday 12 August from 17.30 to 18.30. At this online event, THL experts will give presentations on the topic and answer questions sent in advance by the public. The event will be held in Finnish, but it will later also be available in Swedish via THL's seminar channel on Youtube.
Further information and link to the event
Further information
Frequently asked questions about coronavirus vaccinations for children and young people
Anna Scherleitner
Medical Specialist
Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare
tel. +358 29 524 8371
anna.scherleitner(at)thl.fi
