Influenza vaccinations increasing for children and the elderly

The national vaccination register of Finland shows that influenza vaccination coverage of children below three years of age improved by three percentage points this season. Influenza vaccination coverage for people 65 years of age and older also increased slightly and is currently at 48 per cent.

Large regional differences in vaccination coverage persist. For example, influenza vaccine has been administered less frequently in Western Finland than in Eastern Finland.

Influenza vaccination coverage of children varies widely depending on the region, from 4 per cent to 52 per cent. The highest vaccination coverage rates were in Sulkava (52%) and Eastern Savo (51%). Raisio, Kuopio, Espoo and Kaarina have also achieved approximately 50% coverage.

Information about vaccinations is entered into the national vaccination register from the population information system.

References:

• THL (in Finnish)