Helsinki starts vaccinating 85+ people on 1 Feb

The City of Helsinki will begin vaccinating local residents who will turn 85 this year or are already older as well as their informal carers on 1 February.

Elderly persons born in 1936 or earlier can make a vaccination appointment online or over phone, said the City of Helsinki in a press release on Tuesday.

The electronic appointment booking service is the same for all municipalities in the Uusimaa region and has been provided by the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa. Informal carers can currently book appointments over telephone only.

Initially, vaccines will be administered by appointment in Jätkäsaari, Malmi, and Myllypuro.

More details on vaccination points and other questions related to the coronavirus vaccinations are available at coronavaccination-en.hel.fi.

“We will administer the vaccines in the order specified by the national decisions and policies. In addition to persons born in 1936 and earlier, vaccines will also be administered to informal carers who have been deemed eligible for informal care allowance,” said Medical Director of Health Stations Timo Lukkarinen.

In the week beginning on 1 February, more than 2,000 doses will be available for vaccinating the elderly. There are about 14,000 Helsinki residents born in 1936 or earlier.

“At the moment, the quantity of available vaccines is fairly low. The vaccination process will progress as new vaccines are received. We do not yet have the specifics on how many vaccines will be received and how quickly the vaccination process will advance. A deciding factor is the decision on the sales permit of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is expected to be made towards the end of this week,” said Director of Health and Substance Abuse Services Leena Turpeinen.