Vaccinations

Frequently asked questions

• What are vaccines?

  Vaccines are medicinal products that can prevent infectious diseases and thus protect the vaccinated person from secondary diseases. A vaccine introduces a pathogen or part of it into the body in a form that provides protection against the disease. A vaccine can be administered, for example, as an injection, nasal spray, or orally.

• Why are vaccinations important?

  Vaccinations protect both the vaccinated person and those around them. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficiently large portion of the population is vaccinated, preventing the disease from spreading from person to person. This also reduces the risk of unvaccinated individuals contracting the disease.

  Everyone needs a vaccination against tetanus. It is a life-threatening disease that does not spread between people. Tetanus can be contracted when the Clostridium tetani bacteria, common in soil, enters a wound or skin break.

• What vaccines should adults have?

  Every adult should have protection against measles, rubella, and mumps, either from the MMR vaccine series or from having had the disease. Most people have received these vaccinations twice as children.

  Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough vaccinations received in childhood and adolescence are boosted at the age of 25. Additionally, diphtheria and tetanus vaccinations are boosted at ages 45 and 65, and thereafter every ten years.

  The influenza vaccine is part of the national vaccination program for children under 7 years old, pregnant women, people over 65, and those in risk groups due to illness or treatment, but it is also beneficial for others.

  A booster for the polio vaccine is recommended for those traveling to or returning from high-risk countries. Hepatitis A and B vaccines are available through the national vaccination program when there is an increased risk of contracting hepatitis A or B due to living conditions. Although hepatitis vaccines for travelers are not part of the national program, it is important to ensure vaccination protection, especially when traveling to high-risk countries.

  If you have never had chickenpox, it is advisable to get the chickenpox vaccine, as the disease can be severe in adults and often requires hospitalization. The TBE vaccine, which protects against tick-borne encephalitis, is recommended if you spend weeks in a high-risk area for tick-borne encephalitis and spend a lot of time outdoors. You can check the local recommendations here.

  According to the Infectious Diseases Act, social and health care personnel and students in internships who care for patients vulnerable to serious consequences of infectious diseases must have:

  • Protection against measles and chickenpox provided by vaccination or past illness
  • Protection against influenza provided by vaccination
  • Protection against whooping cough provided by vaccination if the employee regularly cares for children under 1 year old.

  Additionally, social and health care workers need a vaccination against hepatitis B if there is a risk of exposure to blood in their work.

• How can I find out what vaccinations I have received and if they are still valid?

  Vaccination records have traditionally been marked on a paper vaccination or health card. If the card is not available, determining vaccination history requires some effort.

  You can inquire about your vaccination records from the health centers, medical centers, and school and student health services where you may have received vaccinations. The military also retains records of vaccinations given during service. The latest vaccination records may be available in the Omakanta service.

  In OmaMehiläinen, you can see the vaccinations given at Mehiläinen and those that, for example, an occupational health nurse has subsequently entered into Mehiläinen's patient records.

• What should I do if a vaccination series requiring multiple doses has been interrupted?

  You can continue vaccinations from where you left off. There is no need to start an interrupted series from the beginning, nor are extra doses required. A booster dose can be taken late.

• Can you overdose on a vaccine if you take it unnecessarily again?

  You cannot overdose on a vaccine like you can with medication. You can take a vaccine as a precaution if you are unsure about your vaccination protection.

• How do I know if a specific vaccine is available at a Mehiläinen location?

  You can book an appointment directly through Mehiläinen's booking system for the most common vaccinations (influenza, hepatitis A, hepatitis A and B, tetanus-diphtheria, tick, and pneumococcal vaccinations). If you cannot find a suitable time, you can always contact our customer service by phone at 010 414 00 (local network rate/mobile charge).

• Why can you still get sick despite being vaccinated?

  Most vaccines in the vaccination program are over 90% effective. There will always be some vaccinated individuals who do not develop full protection against the disease, which is why you can still get sick despite being vaccinated. However, the disease is usually significantly milder in such cases.

• Can you exercise normally after vaccination?

  Yes, you can, according to how you feel. After vaccination, you may experience fatigue, fever, or symptoms at the injection site, such as warmth. It is advisable to consider the strain on the muscle where the vaccine was injected, as muscle strain can increase symptoms at the injection site.

• Can you get vaccinated while pregnant?

  Pregnant women can and sometimes should receive vaccinations. For example, the influenza vaccine is recommended during pregnancy because pregnant women are in the risk group for influenza. Some vaccines contain live, attenuated pathogens, and as a precaution, such vaccines are generally not given during pregnancy, although they are not known to pose a risk to pregnancy or the fetus.

• Are there situations where a vaccine should not be taken?

  There are very few situations where a vaccine cannot be given or the vaccination appointment needs to be postponed. Such situations include:

  • Febrile infection: A vaccine cannot be given during a febrile infection, so the vaccination appointment must be postponed.
  • Severe allergy: Very few people have a severe allergy to a component of the vaccine, in which case the decision to vaccinate should be discussed with a doctor.
  • Certain diseases: Certain diseases, such as immune system disorders, may also prevent vaccination.

• Do you need to wait after recovering from a disease before getting vaccinated?

  No, you do not need to wait. A vaccine should not be taken during an acute infectious disease or especially when febrile.

• Do vaccines weaken immunity?

  Vaccines do not weaken immunity; they strengthen it by preparing the body to face serious pathogens. Studies have indicated that vaccinated individuals generally have fewer infections than those who are not vaccinated.

• What risks or side effects can vaccines have?

  Serious side effects are extremely rare. The most common side effects are pain, swelling, and warmth at the injection site.

  Extensive studies have shown that vaccinations are not linked to the development of autism, allergies, or type 1 diabetes. The greater risk is not getting vaccinated, which can lead to contracting a serious disease.

• How long is a vaccine studied before it can be used?

  On average, a vaccine that has received marketing authorization is studied for ten years. Most vaccine substances being studied are eliminated as research progresses. Traditionally, vaccines are studied for several years in the laboratory, then on volunteers, and finally in the actual target group before applying for marketing authorization. The effectiveness and safety of the vaccine are monitored even after receiving marketing authorization.

  The coronavirus vaccine has been developed at an unprecedented pace, and research phases have been conducted simultaneously to save time. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has evaluated the research results of vaccine candidates as they have been completed, whereas usually, the evaluation is done all at once at the end. However, the evaluation criteria have not been relaxed, and coronavirus vaccines are assessed using the same quality, safety, and efficacy criteria as other medicinal products.

• Are vaccines safe?

  Vaccines meet strict safety criteria. Before a vaccine is granted marketing authorization, it is tested on tens of thousands of volunteer individuals, and all adverse experiences are recorded, with the causal relationship between the vaccine and symptoms assessed. Rare side effects may remain undetected even in such extensive studies, which is why the safety of vaccines is continuously monitored.

  As with all medications, vaccinations can have side effects or, in rare cases, cause an allergic reaction. Vaccination may cause, for example, a transient fever, but it is extremely rare for vaccination to cause permanent harm – on the contrary, vaccinations offer significant benefits. It is worth tolerating minor potential side effects from vaccinations when remembering that vaccination protects against potentially life-threatening diseases.