So far, more than 95% of Helsinki residents aged 85 and above have received their first coronavirus shot 83% of Helsinki residents aged 80 and above have received their first jab.
Last week, the vaccinations were expanded to cover persons aged 75–79 and above, as well as their informal carers. Currently, 12% of this group has been vaccinated. The process of vaccinating Helsinki residents aged 55–64 who are highly susceptible to severe COVID-19 due to an illness was also initiated. The start of the vaccinations was announced in newspapers and by means of notices delivered to the homes of 75–79-year-olds. Customers of City of Helsinki’s Social Services and Health Care Division who are at risk due to an illness were informed by text message.
At this time, all persons who will be turning 75 this year or are already older, as well as their informal carers regardless of age, can make a vaccination appointment online at koronarokotus.hel.fi or by calling the appointment booking number 09 310 46300. Helsinki residents aged between 55 and 69 who are highly susceptible to severe COVID-19 due to an illness are also scheduled for vaccination.
The process of vaccinating 70–74-year-olds and persons younger than 55 who are at risk due to an illness will begin in the coming weeks. The start time will be specified once the available vaccine quantities are confirmed.
Roughly 52,000 vaccines have been administered in Helsinki so far. About 43,000 of these are first doses and about 9,000 are second doses. The vaccinations have gone to plan, and vaccines have been administered at the rate that they have become available in Helsinki. At this time, some 11,000 Helsinki residents are vaccinated each week.
The supply of vaccines remains scarce. Two vaccines are currently being used. The Pfizer vaccine is administered to persons aged 70 and above. In accordance with recommendations, AstraZeneca vaccines are used for persons younger than 70. The vaccines are being administered in accordance with the national vaccination order.
The vaccinations of social services and health care staff, other than coronavirus workers and elderly care professionals, will begin once seniors and those at risk due to an illness have been vaccinated. At the moment, the time of starting the vaccinations of this group has not been specified.
Helsinki has four vaccination points, which are located in Jätkäsaari, Malmi, Messukeskus and Myllypuro. The storage and distribution of the vaccines is challenging due to cold storage, for example. For this reason, the vaccinations are organised in centralised locations.
More information on COVID-19 vaccinations: coronavaccination-en.hel.fi(Link leads to external service).
* In Helsinki, age groups are specified and statistics reported based on year of birth. For example, ‘75-year-olds’ refers to those turning 75 this year.
Picture: Virpi Velin