As the
coronavirus epidemic escalates, Helsinki is boosting and accelerating COVID-19
vaccinations. At the beginning of January, a fifth vaccination point will open
in Messukeskus and after the turn of the year, vaccinations will also be administered in the evenings and on
Saturdays. The involvement of private occupational health services will speed
up vaccinations for working-age people.
“As the Omicron variant
spreads, we want to do everything we can to speed up COVID-19 vaccinations for
Helsinki residents. This is reflected in a number of concrete measures,“ says
Director of Health and Substance Abuse Services Leena Turpeinen.
Vaccinations for at-risk groups and people aged 60 and over guaranteed
Helsinki wants to ensure that
people over 60 and those at risk receive the third vaccination dose as quickly
as possible. New appointments for this group will be opened in the booking
system from 23 December. Further appointments will be opened after this date as
more vaccinators are recruited.
The Malmi vaccination point
will be open on Boxing Day 26 December. Boxing Day vaccination appointments
will be reserved primarily for people aged 60 and over and those at risk and
will open on 23 December.
In addition, Helsinki will open vaccination points for
people aged 60 and over in senior centres and hospitals in January. More information will be available after Christmas.
“It is important to ensure
that the elderly and those at risk are vaccinated, as they are at higher risk
of developing severe form of COVID-19,” says Medical Director of Health
Stations Timo Lukkarinen.
Third doses are also available
by appointment for adults aged 18–59. The first and second vaccinations are
available without an appointment directly at the vaccination points.
The Helsinki vaccination
points in Jätkäsaari, Kannelmäki, Malmi and Myllypuro are open on weekdays 8:15–16:00 during the days leading to New Year’s Eve. The
Malmi vaccination point is open on Boxing Day.
Messukeskus opens a vaccination point and Saturday becomes a vaccination day
Helsinki’s fifth vaccination
point will open in Messukeskus on Monday 3 January. The facility is well suited
for vaccinations. It is in a central location with good transport connections.
From Saturday 8 January, vaccination points in
Helsinki will offer vaccination on Saturdays and weekday evenings.
Vaccinations in family centres and health centres
On Monday 27 December, the
Itäkatu and Kallio family centres will start vaccinating children aged 5–11
years who belong to at-risk groups. You can book an appointment at bookcovidvaccine.fi (Link leads to external service)
Vaccinations are also offered
at health centres during other visits.
More vaccinators – private occupational healthcare involved in vaccinations
Helsinki actively recruits
vaccinators and offers its own staff the opportunity to do extra work at
vaccination points. Private occupational health providers are also getting
involved in vaccination at the beginning of the year.
“The involvement of private
occupational health services will speed up vaccinations for working-age people.
Occupational health services will inform their employees themselves when they
start vaccinations,” concludes Leena Turpeinen.
Kuva: Virpi Velin