Which vaccines are recommended for different age groups?

The goal of the national vaccination programme is to protect people in Finland as effectively as possible against vaccine preventable diseases, at the right time and with as few doses as possible.

All vaccines included in the national vaccination program are voluntary and free of charge. They are given at maternity and child health clinics, in school health care, or at one’s local health centre.

The wellbeing services counties are responsible for the practical organization of vaccinations. THL provides health care personnel with guidelines for implementing the vaccination programme and monitors its implementation, safety, and effectiveness.

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health determines the content of the vaccination program. Vaccines are funded through the state budget.

Vaccines included in the vaccination programme for all children and adolescents

Each vaccine is administered at an age when the child receives the best possible protection at the right time. In Finland, all children and adolescents can receive protection against 13 different diseases, their complications, and long term effects.

Age	Vaccine	Diseases the vaccine protects against
2 months 3 months 5 months	Rotavirus vaccine	Vomiting and diarrhea caused by rotavirus.
3 months 5 months 12 months	Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV)	Severe pneumococcal disease, such as meningitis and sepsis.
3 months 5 months	Five in one vaccine (DTaP IPV Hib)	Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, and severe infections caused by the Hib bacterium.
6 months–6 years (annually)	Influenza vaccine	Influenza and its complications, such as ear infections, bronchitis, and pneumonia.
12 months	MMR vaccine	Measles, mumps, and rubella, and complications such as pneumonia and meningitis.
18 months	Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine	Chickenpox and complications such as infected blisters, extensive skin infections, encephalitis, and pneumonia.
4 years	Four in one vaccine (DTaP IPV)	Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), and polio.
6 years	MMRV vaccine	Measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox.
10–12 years (two doses)	HPV vaccine	Cancers and precancerous lesions caused by the human papillomavirus, including cervical, penile, and head and neck cancers.
14–15 years	dtap vaccine	Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.

Vaccines included in the vaccination programme for adults

All adults should be protected against measles, mumps, and rubella, either through previous infection or two MMR vaccine doses. If these vaccines were not received in childhood, adults can receive them later.

All adults must also ensure they have up to date tetanus protection. Older adults are additionally offered annual influenza and COVID 19 vaccines.

Age	Vaccine	Diseases the vaccine protects against
25 years pregnant individuals	dtap vaccine	Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis
45 years 65 years over 65 every 10 years	dT vaccine	Diphtheria and tetanus.
over 65 years (annually)	Influenza vaccine	Influenza and complications such as bronchitis, pneumonia, heart attack, and stroke.
over 75 years (annually)	COVID 19 vaccine	Severe coronavirus disease.

Vaccines included in the program for risk groups

People in the risk groups defined by THL are vaccinated against certain diseases because of an increased risk of severe illness. These vaccines are part of the national program and are free of charge.

• The annual influenza vaccine is free for those whose health is significantly threatened by influenza or who benefit substantially from vaccination.
• The annual booster dose against severe COVID 19 is provided to residents of care facilities and certain medical risk groups.
• The tuberculosis vaccine (BCG) is offered to children under 7 who have an increased risk of contracting tuberculosis.
• Pneumococcal vaccines are offered to specific medical risk groups.
• Tick borne encephalitis (TBE) vaccine is offered to children over 3 years and adults who live permanently or stay for extended periods in THL defined risk areas.
• Hepatitis A and B vaccines are offered to certain risk groups to protect against liver inflammation caused by hepatitis A and B viruses.
• Meningococcal vaccines are offered to military conscripts and specific medical risk groups to prevent severe infections caused by the meningococcal bacterium.