The City of Helsinki has become aware of individual cases where local residents have received
text messages or calls offering them an appointment for a non-existent coronavirus vaccination.
By and large, Helsinki only administers coronavirus vaccines through centralised vaccination points. Those scheduled for vaccination can only make an appointment online at koronarokotusaika.fi/en or by calling the appointment booking number. At the moment, there are no other ways to make an appointment. A text message confirmation is sent of all vaccination appointments.
“These cases are truly unfortunate, and we have reported them to the police.
Helsinki residents cannot make vaccination appointments by text message,” says Medical Director of Health Stations Timo Lukkarinen.
The vaccinations will be administered in accordance with the national vaccination order.
“It is not possible to jump the queue, and the vaccinations are free for all Helsinki residents,” Lukkarinen adds.
If
you suspect having received a fraudulent call, please contact the police
If you suspect having received a fraudulent call or message, or you have been offered a vaccination appointment by unusual means, please contact the police.
“If a vaccination or appointment offered to you seems like a scam, you should notify the police by means of an electronic tip, for example. This helps make the police aware of the cases,” the communications department of the local police says.
“It is recommended to report the incident as a crime if someone poses as a nurse, enters your home and steals property, such as money, for example. In emergency situations, call 112,” the communications department of the local police adds.
Information
about the vaccination of Helsinki residents is available on the City website
The City communicates about the vaccinations through a variety of channels. The communications are always targeted at the current group scheduled for vaccination.
“For example, we have sent an information letter detailing the vaccination process to Helsinki residents who will be turning 85 this year or are already older. We will also send the letter to people between 80 and 84 years old, who are next in line for the vaccine,” Lukkarinen says.
In addition to the customer letters, information on the vaccinations is available on the coronavaccination-en.hel.fi website and the City’s social media channels. Vaccination announcements are also published in newspapers.
The return calls of the vaccination appointment booking service come from the appointment booking number 09 310 46300.
You can tip off the police at https://poliisi.fi/en/leave-a-tip(Link leads to external service).
More information about reporting a crime is available on the https://poliisi.fi/en/report-a-crime.(Link leads to external service)
Picture: Sakari Röyskö