At-risk groups advised to get vaccinated

Persons belonging to at-risk groups because of an underlying disease have been vaccinated against swine influenza since the beginning of November. The vaccination of this group was started among the first groups, immediately after pregnant women.

People belonging to at-risk groups because of an underlying medical condition are advised to get vaccinated against swine influenza.  Swine flu causes them more often than basically healthy people serious forms of the disease, even with fatal outcome.

The website of the National Institute for Health and Welfare includes a list of the at-risk groups:

A list of the at-risk groups (National Institute for Health and Welfare)Link to an external website

Swine influenza resembles a seasonal influenza, and the majority of the people who contract it do not need pharmacotherapy or hospital care.  People in at-risk groups should however consult a physician as soon as possible after symptoms emerge.

The swine influenza virus A(H1N1)v causes symptoms similar to those caused by other influenza viruses.  The most common symptoms are sudden fever, a sore throat, cough and rhinitis.  Typically, the influenza does not begin with rhinitis only. Other possible symptoms include body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Vomiting and diarrhoea are not common symptoms of influenza but even those may occur besides respiratory symptoms.  Read more about the symptoms at the website of the Institute for Health and Welfare:

The symptoms of influenza A(H1N1)v  (National Institute for Health and Welfare)Link to an external website

Up-to-date information about the vaccination times can be found at the website of the municipality.  You can also contact the local health centre for information about them.

Merja Saarinen, Ministerial Counsellor for Health Affairs, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, tel. +358 9 160 74030