Vaccinations

Decision-making by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health concerning the vaccination programme is made with the support of the National Public Health Institute Department of Vaccines. Municipalities are responsible for the practical arrangement of vaccinations.

Vaccines (National Institute for Health and Welfare)

 

 

 

 

Children

Before starting school children are vaccinated against the following diseases

• polio
• diptheria
• tetanus
• whooping cough
• measles
• mumps
• rubella
• meningitis
• meningitis and epiglottitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b
• diseases caused by pneumococcus (as of 1.9.2010).

Boosters are given to children by school health care services and to adults by health centres. Vaccinations are not compulsory. Over 90% of parents in Finland vaccinate their children.

Vaccination of risk groups

The vaccination programme in Finland also provides for the vaccination against influenza of children under the age of three, adults of 65 and over and others at risk. People in risk groups for hepatitis A and B and tuberculosis are also vaccinated.