Helsinki child welfare clinics begin swine flu vaccinations for children aged 3-6 years

Elderly man dies of H1N1 flu in Mikkeli

print this

Today - Tuesday, Helsinki began to vaccinate children aged 3-6 years against swine flu. The vaccinations of children under 3 years began on Monday.
     
The capital’s child welfare clinics extended vaccinations to healthy children aged 3-6 years, even though the city had previously announced that the vaccinations of healthy children in this age group would start no sooner than at the turn of November and December.
      Swine flu vaccinations for school-aged children will begin as soon as there is enough vaccine available. Pupils in comprehensive schools, upper secondary schools, and in vocational schools will get their shots at school.
     
The City of Helsinki Health Centre will issue a more detailed schedule for vaccinations later this week.
      Helsinki has decided that flu vaccinations are to be given at all health stations from now on. The Laakso influenza health station will concentrate on treating patients who belong to a risk group due to an existing illness.
      Those who do not belong to any of the risk groups are advised to contact their own health stations during the opening hours.
      However, in the evenings and at weekends even those who do not belong to any risk group may contact the Laakso health station.
     
Helsinki’s health sations have prepared for the treatment and counselling of influenza patients as well as for extending swine flu vaccinations by cancelling less urgent appointments.
      During the H1N1 epidemic, the health centres are to treat mainly patients with the swine flu or other illnesses requiring urgent treatment.
      For the time being, no new appointments can be booked.
     
Outside the Helsinki region, the situation has been reported to be slightly better.
      However, the first swine flu death has been recorded in Eastern Finland.
      A 73-year-old man died from complications arising out of swine flu at the Mikkeli Central Hospital on Saturday. He had several basic ailments that gave a greater risk of his falling ill to a difficult form of the virus.
     
Thus far the H1N1 virus has spread through Finland from the north and west, and it is believed that the epidemic has already passed its peak in Lapland and the north of the country.
      One reason for bringing forward vaccination schedules is that immunity is only provided after 10-14 days from the vaccination, although health experts have pointed out that the peak period for infection could last several weeks and indeed there may be a second wave, for example when people move around a lot at Christmas.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Swine flu vaccinations for children under three begin on Monday (16.11.2009)

Links:
  City of Helsinki Health Centre - WHAT´S NEW

Helsingin Sanomat