Releases

In addition to social and health care, employees in many other fields also need vaccinations for their work.

Many social and health care workers as well as other professional groups need vaccinations for their work. Vaccinations given due to work-related infection risks can be obtained from occupational health care. 

The elderly should get vaccinated to decrease the risk of serious illnesses and reduced functional capacity. By keeping their vaccination coverage up to date, elderly people can lead a full life.

The vaccination of children helps to prevent many diseases that were once common and are, at worst, life threatening. The youngest children are at the greatest risk of getting these diseases.

Finland started vaccinations in the early 1800s with vaccinations against smallpox, but the country continued to have a high rate of child mortality for a long time. 

Prior to travelling, it is recommendable to update your vaccinations. Additional vaccinations are sometimes needed. Immigrants often require additional vaccinations as well.  

Besides bookings and tickets, travellers should also keep their vaccinations in check. 

An interview with Professor Seppo Ylä-Herttuala from the A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences at the University of Eastern Finland.

How do pandemics come about, how can they be prevented and what have we learnt from the coronavirus pandemic?

A pandemic is a global epidemic that emerges unexpectedly. Pandemics start with a microbe – usually a virus – that originates from somewhere in the animal kingdom and transfers to a human that is in close contact with the animal.

Vaccines are one of the greatest achievements in medicine. Anu Kantele, Professor of Infectious Diseases at MeVac, the Meilahti Vaccine Research Center of Helsinki University Hospital tells about vaccine development.