Vaccinations

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.

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.

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.

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.External link

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.

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.

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.