Vaccination coverage among children in Finland remains high, but the share of completely unvaccinated children is increasing
Vaccination coverage among young children has long been excellent in Finland. According to new statistics from THL, coverage rates remain high, but the proportion of completely unvaccinated children has increased.
According to the new data from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), 2.2 percent of children born in 2023 are entirely unvaccinated.
Among children born in 2016–2019, the share of unvaccinated children was still around one percent, but it has risen steadily since then. For children born in 2022, the share is 1.8 percent.
There may be reasons related to the organisation, postponement or reporting of vaccinations, but vaccine hesitancy and vaccine scepticism have also increased in several regions in Finland.
“We want to remind people that none of the vaccines in the national vaccination programme are unnecessary. Many of the diseases we vaccinate against can be especially dangerous for small children,” says THL’s leading specialist Mia Kontio.
Among children born in 2023, the proportion of unvaccinated children is particularly high in Åland, at 5.2 percent. In the wellbeing services counties of East Uusimaa, North Ostrobothnia and Päijät-Häme, the share also exceeds three percent.
In contrast, in North Savo, Kainuu and Kymenlaakso, the share of unvaccinated children remains around one percent.
THL provides training and guidance to healthcare professionals on how to meet and support parents who are uncertain about vaccination decisions. The first training sessions were organised last autumn in Åland and East Uusimaa.
“It is extremely important that parents considering whether to vaccinate their child can have a calm discussion with a healthcare professional about their concerns. This helps the professional better understand and reduce those concerns,” Kontio says.
Significant differences between vaccines – coverage for the vaccine for measles continues to decline
Vaccination coverage varies between different vaccines. For example, coverage for the five-in-one vaccine remains very high across most of the country. This vaccine protects children from diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and severe infections caused by the Hib bacterium.
However, coverage for the MMRV vaccine – given to six year olds and protecting against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox – is only about 92 percent among children born in 2018 nationwide. Coverage has declined for three consecutive years.
Measles is extremely contagious. It can be a serious illness for anyone without immunity from previous infection or vaccination, regardless of age. To prevent isolated measles cases from causing outbreaks, coverage must be at least 95 percent.
THL reports vaccination coverage annually for vaccines in the vaccination programme given to children under school age. The data are based on vaccination records submitted to THL’s vaccination register.
More information
Statistical report: Vaccination coverage of children born in 2023 and 2018 (2026, in Finnish)
Map display of children's vaccine coverage (THL)
A map presenting the proportions of unvaccinated children in different regions and in Finland (THL)
Vaccination programme for children and adults (THL)
Mia Kontio
Chief Specialist
THL
tel. +358 29 524 8365
[email protected]
Camilla Jordman
Specialist
THL
[email protected]
Anni Koivisto
Specialist
THL
[email protected]
