Who should get vaccinated against influenza?

High-risk groups for influenza and everyone whose immediate circle involves a person at a risk of contracting severe influenza are recommended to get vaccinated against influenza. High-risk groups for influenza: people aged over 65, young children, pregnant women, anyone with a cardiovascular disease, diabetes, lung disease, liver disease or kidney disease, despite their age, patients with a weak immune system due to an illness or treatment.

Can a disease prevent me from getting vaccinated?

The presence of the following diseases should be considered when getting vaccinated: Childhood asthma: if the vaccine is administered nasally, it must be postponed if the child’s asthma is poorly controlled or if the child has a respiratory tract infection that involves wheezing., Fever: the vaccine cannot be administered you have a high fever or an infection that is causing a fever and it must be postponed until you feel better., Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS): In the event of a recent onset of GBS, you should discuss with your attending doctor about getting vaccinated against influenza. Nasally administered vaccines cannot be given to: people with severely weakened immune system due to a disease or its treatment or, children undergoing salicylate treatment. The vaccine cannot be administered if you have had a severe, immediate allergic reaction, i.e. anaphylaxis, to an influenza vaccine.

Can I get vaccinated against influenza if I am pregnant?

An influenza vaccine can be administered as an injection at any stage of pregnancy. Vaccines administered nasally are not recommended at all during pregnancy.

Can I contract influenza even if I have been vaccinated?

It is possible to contract influenza even if you have been vaccinated. The influenza vaccine does not provide complete protection against influenza or prevent you from spreading it while you are asymptomatic, but it is the best form of protection against the disease. If you contract influenza when you are vaccinated, you will most likely experience only mild symptoms and recover more quickly than without the vaccine. You should also get vaccinated if you want protection against the sequelae of influenza, such as otitis or bronchitis in children and pneumonia in people of all ages.

What are the possible adverse or side effects of influenza vaccines?

The adverse effects of influenza vaccines are rare and occur in only a small proportion of vaccinated individuals: A vaccine administered nasally can cause a rhinitis and a stuffy nose. , Injected vaccines can cause redness and tenderness on the area of the injection., In some cases, it is possible to experience muscle and joint pain, headache or a fever. The symptoms will subside in a couple of days. These symptoms can be treated with an antipyretic or a painkiller. Serious adverse effects, such as severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) occur very rarely. You may experience mild symptoms of a cold after getting vaccinated. These are normal and will subside spontaneously in a short time. Please note that these short term reactions to the vaccine are not a reason for getting tested for COVID-19. If the symptoms last longer than 24 hours after the vaccination and/or if you clearly feel that you are ill or have a high fever or symptoms of a respiratory tract infection, you must contact a health care service provider in order to assess the possibility of a COVID-19 infection.

Does a healthy athlete need the influenza vaccine even if he/she does not belong to a high-risk group?

Healthy days are important to an athlete, and infection prevention plays an important role in maintaining health and good performance. This is why influenza vaccination is a strongly recommended method of protection for athletes and others alike. It is also beneficial for the athlete if their immediate family and, possibly the entire sports team, have been vaccinated.

What can increase an athlete’s risk of getting influenza?

Athletes spend a lot of time in groups: either in teams or in training groups. They are, therefore, quite often in close contact with other people, which increases the risk of a respiratory tract infection. Athletes may travel quite a lot, for example, for competitions or training, which also increases the risk of getting ill.

What is the best time for an athlete to get the influenza vaccine?

Prevention of infections is beneficial, and the side effects of vaccines are usually smaller than the overall benefit of getting vaccinated. Influenza vaccination does not cause the vaccine recipient the actual influenza, but vaccination can cause some side effects. If the vaccine causes side effects, they are generally mild, such as pain at the injection location, fatigue, headache and muscle pain. Sometimes people may also experience mild and brief fever. The symptoms usually last up to a few days. Protection against influenza does not occur immediately after vaccination, but takes about two weeks to develop from the time of vaccination. The recommended time for vaccination is before the start of the influenza season, November-December. After getting the vaccine, it’s a good idea to have enough space in the training calendar – it’s not a good idea to schedule very heavy workouts or important competitions for the days immediately after the vaccine. It’s a good idea to take into account the competition calendar and any training breaks. Vaccination after the start of the flu season can be helpful. The injected location can also be a temporarily sore, which should be taken into consideration by the athlete. It’s a good idea to choose the injection location based on your sport: for example, a tennis player shouldn't take it in their dominant hand.

What else can you do to protect yourself from the influenza?

Washing hands is the best way to protect yourself, i.e., adequate hand hygiene should be maintained at all times. Proper cough hygiene is also important for spreading the disease, i.e., you should always cough in your sleeve and not in your hand. If someone seems to have a cold, it’s a good idea to keep them 1–2 metres away. In sports teams, it’s good to isolate people with influenza, because even if everyone has been vaccinated, the influenza vaccine does not provide full 100% protection. However, if people who have received the influenza vaccine become ill, the disease is often milder than it would have been without the vaccine. Influenza can cause long periods of absence from training, competitions or matches. In addition, people with influenza also have a higher risk of sequelae than people with a normal flu.

At what point should an influenza vaccine be taken before travelling?

The annual seasonal influenza vaccine is only available in Finland from around September-October until the spring of the following year. If the vaccine is no longer available in Finland and the trip is a longer one, it can be taken in the destination country if necessary, for example, if travelling to the southern hemisphere. The vaccine protection develops within two weeks after vaccination. If you want to have the protection before being possibly exposed, it is advisable to take the influenza vaccine at least two weeks before the trip. In addition, a high-dose influenza vaccine is available for people aged over 60. The high-dose vaccine contains a larger amount of active ingredient than the standard vaccine used in the national vaccination programme. In addition to the injectable vaccines, a quadrivalent nasal spray influenza vaccine is available for children aged 2–17. The virus strains used in all the vaccines are in line with WHO recommendations.

Influenza vaccine 55 €

The influenza vaccine is the most effective way to protect against influenza. The influenza vaccine protects against seasonal influenza, which spreads especially in the autumn and winter.

Book an influenza vaccination Occupational health customers

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Influenza vaccine in a nutshell

It is advisable to get the flu vaccine in the autumn before the flu season starts.
It takes about two weeks for antibody protection to develop, during which time the protection is not yet complete. The vaccine can also be taken after the epidemic has started.
The price includes the vaccine and the nurse's fee. No additional clinic or Kanta fees are added to the vaccine price.
COVID-19 vaccine is also available for people over 18 years old. COVID-19 vaccine and influenza vaccine 173,50 €. Book now

Related services

Influenza vaccine high-dose 95 €
A more effective flu vaccine designed for those over 60.

Influenza vaccine nasal spray 82 €
A painless flu vaccination designed for children over 2 years old.

COVID-19 vaccination 142 €
The updated vaccines offer better protection against new virus variants.

General information about the influenza vaccine

Over the course of an ordinary influenza epidemic, about one in ten adults will get influenza.
Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself against influenza. Most people who get vaccinated will not get influenza.
If a vaccinated person gets the influenza, the disease is usually milder and recovery is faster.
In addition to preventing influenza complications, the influenza vaccine also prevents ear infections: the rate of ear infections over the influenza season has been up to a third lower in children who have been vaccinated against influenza.
By getting vaccinated, you can also help prevent the spread of influenza and protect both your loved ones and those in high-risk groups.

The influenza vaccine and its benefits

Over the course of an ordinary influenza epidemic, about one in ten adults will get influenza. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself against influenza. Most people who get vaccinated will not get influenza. If a person who has received the influenza vaccine gets influenza, the illness is usually milder and does not last as long. In addition to preventing influenza complications, the influenza vaccine also prevents ear infections: the rate of ear infections over the influenza season has been up to a third lower in children who have been vaccinated against influenza. By getting vaccinated, you can also help prevent the spread of influenza and protect both your loved ones and those in high-risk groups.

Learn more:
What are the influenza high-risk groups?

When should you be vaccinated against influenza?

We recommend getting vaccinated in the autumn, before the start of the influenza season. It takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop, and the protection against the illness will not be complete during that time. You can also get vaccinated after the epidemic has already begun, but there is a risk of infection before the antibodies have fully developed. The vaccine will not be harmful in such a situation and will not lead to an illness that is more severe than usual. However, please note that you may not get vaccinated while you have a fever or have an infection that is causing a fever.

You can get a high-dose influenza vaccine even if you have never had an influenza vaccine before. The high-dose influenza vaccine is generally suitable for anyone who is able to have the standard influenza vaccine.

The influenza vaccine given as nasal spray is intended for children aged 2–17. The influenza vaccine given as nasal spray cannot be administered for children under two years of age, but they are offered an injected vaccine instead.

Influenza vaccine 2024 and 2025

For the 2024–2025 influenza season, Mehiläinen uses a quadrivalent influenza vaccine. A quadrivalent influenza vaccine protects against four influenza virus strains. The vaccine contains the same four influenza virus strains as the other influenza vaccines in use.

In addition, a high-dose influenza vaccine is available for people aged over 60. The high-dose vaccine contains a larger amount of active ingredient than the standard vaccine used in the national vaccination programme.

In addition to the injectable vaccines, a tetravalent nasal spray influenza vaccine is available for children aged 2–17. The virus strains used in all the vaccines are in line with WHO recommendations.

You must have a new influenza vaccine every year as the influenza viruses in circulation change from year to year.

The prices of influenza vaccines in 2024

The prices of vaccines available from Mehiläinen during the 2024–2025 influenza season:

Influenza vaccination 55 €
High-dose influenza vaccination for people aged over 60 95 €
Influenza nasal spray vaccination for children aged 2–17 82 €

The price includes the vaccine itself and the nurse’s fee. The outpatient fee or Kanta fee is not added to the price of the vaccine.

Influenza vaccinations for occupational health care customers

Do you know how many of your company’s employees have influenza during the year? Do you know how much influenza infections costs your company?
In people of working age, the influenza vaccine prevents 7–8 cases out of 10. Check the calculator to see what vaccination would mean for your organisation.

Corporate decision makers can contact us and agree on vaccinations with their organisation’s occupational health nurse.

Note! The Kanta fee will not be added to the price of the influenza vaccination. Possible time-bound promotional prices may differ from these.

Mehiläinen’s Mobile Benefits and their use

Take into account in the price list

The price includes the vaccine and the nurse’s fee. The outpatient fee will not be added to the price of vaccines. The Kanta fee is 3,70 € per vaccination appointment.

Service	Price
Hepatitis A (adult) Book an appointment for hepatitis A vaccination	111,00 € No Kela reimbursement
Hepatitis A (under 16 years old) Information about the traveler's vaccinations.	86,00 € No Kela reimbursement
Hepatitis A+B vaccine (adult) Book an appointment for hepatitis A and B vaccination Read more about Mobile Benefits	Mobile Benefit 115,00 € No Kela reimbursement 124,00 € No Kela reimbursement
Hepatitis A+B vaccine (under 16 years old) Read more about Mobile Benefits	Mobile Benefit 89,00 € No Kela reimbursement 102,10 € No Kela reimbursement
Influenza vaccine The Kanta fee will not be added to the price of the influenza vaccination. Book a vaccination appointment	55,00 € No Kela reimbursement
Influenza vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine The price includes a group discount of 20 €. Book a vaccination appointment	173,50 € No Kela reimbursement
High-dose influenza vaccine for people aged over 60 The Kanta fee will not be added to the price of the influenza vaccination. Book a vaccination appointment	95,00 € No Kela reimbursement
High-dose influenza vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine The price includes a group discount of 20 €. Book a vaccination appointment	213,50 € No Kela reimbursement
Nasal spray influenza vaccine (2-17 year olds) The outpatient fee will not be added to the price of vaccine. Book a vaccination appointment	82,00 € No Kela reimbursement
COVID-19 vaccine The Kanta fee will not be added to the price of the COVID-19 vaccination. Book an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccination.	142,00 € No Kela reimbursement
Tetanus and diphtheria vaccine Information about the tetanus-diphtheria vaccine. Book an appointment for vaccination	56,90 € No Kela reimbursement
Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (dtap) vaccine Information about the tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccine.	73,60 € No Kela reimbursement
Pneumococcal vaccine More information about the pneumococcal vaccine. Book an appointment for pneumococcal vaccination Read more about Mobile Benefits	Mobile Benefit 122,00 € No Kela reimbursement 133,10 € No Kela reimbursement
Tick-borne encephalitis vaccine (adults) Price per vaccination. More information about the tick-borne encephalitis vaccine. Book an appointment for tick-borne encephalitis vaccination Read more about Mobile Benefits	Mobile Benefit 62,00 € No Kela reimbursement 71,30 € No Kela reimbursement
Tick-borne encephalitis vaccine (children) Price per vaccination. More information about the tick-borne encephalitis vaccine. Book an appointment for tick-borne encephalitis vaccination Read more about Mobile Benefits	Mobile Benefit 62,00 € No Kela reimbursement 68,50 € No Kela reimbursement

Related symptoms

Influenza
Caused by viruses, can lead to serious secondary infections.

Frequently asked questions about the influenza vaccine

For the 2024–2025 influenza season, Mehiläinen uses the Influvac vaccine. Influvac is a quadrivalent influenza vaccine that provides protection against both types A and B of the influenza virus. The vaccine is suitable for everyone aged 6 months or over. Influvac is given as an injection.

In addition, a high-dose vaccine called Efluelda is available for people aged over 60. The vaccine contains four times the amount of active ingredient used in vaccines containing the standard dose. This means that the high-dose influenza vaccine is more effective against influenza and its complications. The high-dose vaccine is different from standard influenza vaccines in that it contains a larger amount of antigen. The vaccine is quadrivalent, protecting against four influenza virus strains. It contains the same four influenza virus strains as the other influenza vaccines in use.

In addition, children and young people aged 2–17 can also be given Fluenz, a trivalent influenza vaccine, as a nasal spray.

The virus strains used in all the vaccines are in line with WHO recommendations.

The quadrivalent influenza vaccine used at Mehiläinen protects against both influenza A virus strains and both influenza B strains.

We recommend getting vaccinated in the autumn, before the start of the influenza season. It takes about two weeks for the immunity to develop, during which the protection against the illness will not be complete. You can also get vaccinated after the epidemic has already begun, but there is a risk of contracting influenza before the antibodies have fully developed.

You must have a new seasonal influenza vaccine every year as the influenza viruses in circulation mutate and change from year to year.

High-risk groups for influenza and everyone whose immediate circle involves a person at a risk of contracting severe influenza are recommended to get vaccinated against influenza.

High-risk groups for influenza:

people aged over 65
young children
pregnant women
anyone with a cardiovascular disease, diabetes, lung disease, liver disease or kidney disease, despite their age
patients with a weak immune system due to an illness or treatment.

The vaccine cannot be administered if you have a high fever or an infection that is causing a fever and it must be postponed until you feel better.

Influenza vaccine 55 €

Influenza vaccine in a nutshell

Related services

General information about the influenza vaccine

The influenza vaccine and its benefits

When should you be vaccinated against influenza?

Influenza vaccine 2024 and 2025

The prices of influenza vaccines in 2024

Influenza vaccinations for occupational health care customers

Related symptoms

Frequently asked questions about the influenza vaccine

More about the topic

Digital Clinic brings remote doctor to you

Payment methods in Mehiläinen

Instructions for using the services

Influenza vaccine 55 €

Influenza vaccine in a nutshell

Related services

General information about the influenza vaccine

The influenza vaccine and its benefits

When should you be vaccinated against influenza?

Influenza vaccine 2024 and 2025

The prices of influenza vaccines in 2024

Influenza vaccinations for occupational health care customers

Related symptoms

Frequently asked questions about the influenza vaccine

What influenza vaccines are available from Mehiläinen?

What influenza strains does the vaccine provide protection against?

When is the ideal time to get vaccinated so that I can get sufficient protection?

How long does the protection provided by the vaccine last?

Who should get vaccinated against influenza?

Can I get vaccinated if I have a cold or another similar symptom of rhinitis?

More about the topic

Digital Clinic brings remote doctor to you

Payment methods in Mehiläinen

Instructions for using the services