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COVID-19 Vaccinations

COVID booster vaccinations have begun for the elderly in nursing homes and home care. COVID booster vaccinations for other target groups will begin on 20 October 2025. Coronavirus vaccines prevent serious disease and deaths caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

• Recommended basic series of the coronavirus vaccine
• COVID-19 booster doses and schedule
• Effect of previous illness or previous COVID-19 vaccine dose on booster doses  
• What vaccines are used? 
• Influenza vaccination together with the coronavirus booster dose
• Appointment bookings
• Vaccination locations

Recommended basic series of the coronavirus vaccine

A single-dose basic series recommends for individuals who have not previously received COVID-19 vaccinations.  

A single-dose basic series is recommended for:  

• persons aged 18 and over  
• persons aged 12 and over who are in a risk group (in Finnish: Vakavan koronataudin riskiryhmät – THL)

For those with severe immunodeficiency, starting from 6 months of age, a two-dose basic series is recommended. For persons who have received a stem cell transplant: 2–3 doses based on the individual’s situation. (in Finnish:  Voimakkaasti immuunipuutteisten koronarokotukset – THL)

Basic series vaccinations are recommended regardless of how many times one has had COVID-19-infection.  

For healthy persons under the age of 75, the basic series provides good protection against severe COVID-19, and booster doses are not needed.  

COVID-19 booster doses and schedule

Administration of the 2025 booster vaccines will begin in September–October, and the aim is to provide them during the autumn. The vaccines are free of charge for target groups.

This year, THL recommends booster doses for the following target groups:

• elderly residents of care homes or elderly clients who use home care services regularly or cared for by family caregivers;
• persons aged 75 and over; and 
• persons of all ages with severe immunodeficiency. 

In the autumn of 2025, it is recommended to offer the coronavirus vaccine also to other adults over 18 who have two or more conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19. (In Finnish Vakavan taudin riskiryhmät – THL)

A booster dose may also be needed for others under special circumstances, based on individual consideration and medical risk assessment.  

For those with severe immunodeficiency, booster doses may be given based on the treating physician’s individual assessment.  

Effect of previous illness or previous COVID-19 vaccine dose on booster doses  

Vaccination is recommended for target groups regardless of how many booster doses person has previously received or how many times they have had COVID-19-infection. 

It is recommended to have at least six months between the previous COVID-19 vaccine dose and the booster dose.

If a person has recently recovered from the disease just before the vaccination period, they do not need a booster dose that season for protective purposes. If necessary, the vaccine can be given under special circumstances based on individual consideration.  

What vaccines are used? 

Comirnaty-vaccines are used.

Influenza vaccination together with the coronavirus booster dose

THL recommends that coronavirus vaccinations be given to all target groups at the same time as influenza vaccinations starting from October 2025.

Appointment bookings

We primarily recommend using the digital appointment booking service Citizen’s online health services (Kansalaisen terveyspalvelu).

Appointments can also be booked via Care Needs Assessment:

Pietarsaari (Jakobstad), Uusikaarlepyy (Nykarleby), Pedersöre and Luoto (Larsmo):

Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:00–14:00 tel. 06 781 0330.

Vaccination locations

Children’s vaccinations are given at the Child Welfare Clinic or via school health care.

More information about vaccinations can be found at: https://en.osterbottensvalfard.fi/vaccinations/