Coronavirus vaccines
This page has been updated on the 11th of May 2022
Soite carries out the vaccinations in accordance with the strategy for COVID-19 vaccinations in Finland (in Finnish) and in accordance with guidelines from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare THL. The vaccinations do not cost anything.
Currently, vaccinations are given as follows in Soite’s area:
Coronavirus vaccinations are now progressing with regards to all persons over the age of 5 who live in Soite’s area.
- The second dose can be given when at least six weeks have passed since the first vaccination.
- A third vaccine dose is given to everyone over the age of 60 and to persons who belong to medical risk groups (1 and 2) and are at least 18 years or older if at least 3 months have passed since they received the second dose.
- A third vaccine dose is given to everyone aged 18 to 59 if at least 4 months have passed since they received the second dose.
- A third dose is also given to persons aged 12 and older who have a severe immunodeficiency, if at least two months have passed since the second dose.
- A third dose is also given to 12–17-year-olds who belong to a risk group, if at least six months have passed since the second dose. A third dose can also be given to other 12–17-year-olds if it is necessary for other than medical reasons, for example before travelling.
- A fourth dose is given to persons aged 12 and older who have a severe immunodeficiency, if at least 3 months have passed since the third vaccination.
- A fourth dose is given to all persons over the age of 80 and to elderly who live in a care home if at least 3 months has passed since the third dose.
- A fourth dose of coronavirus vaccine is also offered for elderly clients within the organized home care or family care, as well as for other elderly people whose health and ability to function are impaired
- Coronavirus vaccinations for children aged 5 to 11 are arranged by appointment at Soite’s vaccination centrals. Appointments are booked via Soite’s Omahoito service online: https://soite.terveytesi.fi/. When it comes to 5-11-year-old children, both parents need to consent to the vaccination before the child can receive the vaccine. More information lower down on this page.
Vaccinations are now mainly given on walk-in vaccination days without appointment booking, so you can come to a coronavirus vaccination when it suits you best. You can also book a vaccination appointment by phone or online.
PLEASE NOTE: When it comes to children aged 5 to 11, an appointment for vaccination must be booked in advance in accordance with the instructions above.
When you take the coronavirus vaccine, you can take an influenza vaccine at the same time. Influenza vaccines are still available.

Link: Soite’s coronavirus indicator
Walk-in vaccination days without appointment booking
Soite arranges appointment-free vaccination days during which you can get your first coronavirus vaccine dose without booking an appointment beforehand, at a time of the day when it is most convenient for you. First as well as second, third and fourth vaccine doses will be administered during the walk-in-days.
According to policy by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare THL, it is recommended that the mRNA vaccination series (Pfizer and Moderna) are completed primarily using the same vaccine. If you want to receive your third vaccine dose on an appointment-free walk-in day, please check if the same vaccine is available on that day. Vaccines available on walk-in days are shown in the information about the vaccination day. We strive to offer both vaccines as extensively as possible, but mRNA vaccines can also be used in mix-and-match vaccinations.
There are a limited number of Novavax’ vaccine doses available and the vaccine is only available through appointment booking. Appointment booking by phone 06 828 7488. Telephone hours Monday-Thursday 9 am to 3 pm.
The following vaccination days are arranged:
Week 19
- May 9th 9 am – 7.30 pm the vaccination central in Kokkola (Kaarlelankatu 7). Vaccines: Pfizer and Moderna
- May 10th 1 pm to 3 pm Teerijärvi health station (Hörbyntie 8). Vaccine: Pfizer
- May 11th 9 am – 7.30 pm the vaccination central in Kokkola (Kaarlelankatu 7). Vaccines: Pfizer and Moderna
- May 11th 10.15 am – 4.20 pm the vaccination central in Perhonjokilaakso (Kirkkotanhua 1, Veteli). Vaccine: Pfizer
- May 12th 8.30 am – 3.30 pm Kannus seurakuntatalo (the parish house) (Valtakatu 20). Vaccines: Pfizer and Moderna
- May 12th 9 am – 3.30 pm the vaccination central in Kokkola (Kaarlelankatu 7). Vaccines: Pfizer and Moderna
- May 12th 12 noon – 2.45 pm Perho health central (Vanhainkodintie 20) Vaccine: Pfizer
- May 13th 8.30 am – 3 pm Toholampi Seurakuntakoti (the parish house) (Lampintie 7). Vaccine: Pfizer and Moderna
Week 20
- May 16th 9 am – 7.30 pm the vaccination central in Kokkola (Kaarlelankatu 7). Vaccines: Pfizer and Moderna
- May 17th 9 am – 3.30 pm the vaccination central in Kokkola (Kaarlelankatu 7). Vaccines: Pfizer and Moderna
- May 18th 9 am – 7.30 pm the vaccination central in Kokkola (Kaarlelankatu 7). Vaccines: Pfizer and Moderna
- May 18th kl. 10.15 am – 4.20 pm the vaccination central in Perhonjokilaakso (Kirkkotanhua 1, Vetil). Vaccine: Pfizer
- May 19th 8.30 am to 3.30 pm Kannus seurakuntakeskus (the parish centre) (Valtakatu 20). Vaccines: Pfizer and Moderna
- May 19th 9 am – 3.30 pm the vaccination central in Kokkola (Kaarlelankatu 7). Vaccines: Pfizer and Moderna
Week 21
- May 23rd 9 am – 7.30 pm the vaccination central in Kokkola (Kaarlelankatu 7). Vaccines: Pfizer and Moderna
- May 24th 9 am – 3.30 pm the vaccination central in Kokkola (Kaarlelankatu 7). Vaccines: Pfizer and Moderna
- May 24th 1 pm to 3 pm Kruunupyy health station (Säbråntie 1). Vaccine: Pfizer
- May 25th 9 am – 7.30 pm the vaccination central in Kokkola (Kaarlelankatu 7). Vaccines: Pfizer and Moderna
- May 25th kl. 10.15 am – 4.20 pm the vaccination central in Perhonjokilaakso (Kirkkotanhua 1, Vetil). Vaccine: Pfizer
- May 27th 8.30 am – 3 pm Toholampi Seurakuntakoti (the parish house) (Lampintie 7). Vaccine: Pfizer and Moderna
Booking an appointment for a coronavirus vaccination
You can also book a vaccination appointment by phone or online.
- electronic appointment booking in the Omahoito service at https://soite.terveytesi.fi is open 24/7.
- Log on to the Omahoito service with your online bank user identifiers (or some other means of strong identification) in order to book an appointment for yourself.
- The days that still have appointments available are marked with green colour in the web calendar.
- You can book an appointment for another person if you have made an agreement regarding this. For more information please read: https://www.soite.fi/toisen_puolesta_asiointi (in Finnish).
- Telephone booking 06 828 7488. The line is open Monday-Thursday 9–15 and Friday 9-14. You can also book an appointment via your local health centre.
The electronic booking works more smoothly and we recommend that appointments are booked online if possible.
Other information about appointment booking
You can book an appointment via the electronic Omahoito service if you have identifiers that are needed for electronic identification (online bank user identifiers or a mobile ID). If electronic identification is not possible, the appointment must be booked by phone.
If an informal caregiver or partner who lives in the same household is vaccinated at the same time, the appointment should be booked by phone for both persons.
We ask persons close to elderly persons to make sure they get an appointment for a vaccination and are able to come to the vaccination site.
Appointments are also available in evenings and on weekends and you may choose which vaccination site you want to go to. The electronic booking system shows, which vaccination sites have available vaccination appointments. Vacination appointments are always opened for several weeks at once.
Please note: if you have previously had an anaphylactic shock, please book your vaccination appointment to your own health care centre or via the secretary at Soite’s vaccination central, phone 040 804 2821, Monday to Friday 9 am to 2 pm.
The third vaccine dose can be given when the amount of time that is required based on the patient’s age group or risk group has passed since the second vaccine dose.
The vaccination information is checked at the vaccination site and if less not enough time has passed since the previous vaccine dose, the following vaccine dose cannot yet be given.
If an insurmountable obstacle occurs and it is not possible for you to come to an appointment you have booked, the appointment can be cancelled via the Omahoito service or by calling the secretary at Soite’s vaccination central, phone 040 804 2821 Monday to Friday 9 am to 2 pm.
Consent of the guardians for the vaccination of a child
Under-aged persons may decide themselves if they want a vaccine if the health care professional administering the vaccine considers that, based on their age and development level, the child or young person is sufficiently mature to decide on the matter on their own. No legal age limit has been set for an independent decision, which is why the situation is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. For most of those aged 5–11, the consent of their guardians is required.
If a child is unable to decide on their own vaccination or does not want to decide for themselves, the consent of all guardians is required for the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccinations are voluntary and free of charge. Consent can be given with this form (in Finnish).
If the child appears for their vaccination with only one guardian, the absent guardian must have signed the consent form. The consent form can be printed from THL’s (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare) website here (in Finnish).
Vaccination sites
You can choose to which vaccination site you book an appointment. Vaccination sites for persons over the age of 16:
- Kokkola vaccination central (place: Halpa-Halli’s old building, Kaarlelankatu 7)
- Kannus (place: seurakuntatalo (the parish house), Valtakatu 20)
- Toholampi (place: seurakuntakoti (the parish house), Lampintie 7)
- Lestijärvi (place: Lestijärvi health care station, Niemeläntie 3A, 69440 Lestijärvi)
- Kaustinen (place: Pajalan perhekeskus (Pajala family centre), Pajalantie 1, Kaustinen)
- Veteli (place: the health care centre, Mäntöläntie 2, 69700 Veteli
- Perhonjokilaakso vaccination central (place: business centre Passeli, Kirkkotanhua 1, 69700 Veteli)
- Kruunupyy (place: the health care station in Teerijärvi, Hörbyntie 8, 68700 Teerijärvi and Kruunupyy health station, Säbråntie 1, 68500 Kruunupyy)
- Perho (place: the health care station, Vanhainkodintie 20, 69950 Perho)
- Halsua (place: the health care station, Kauppisentie 12, 69510 Halsua)
At this point, it is possible to book an appointment only to these vaccination sites.
The appointments for second vaccinations that have been booked to the health care centre in Veteli or the family centre Pajala in Kaustinen are transferred to Passeli. The change of vaccination site does not require any action on the client’s part. The appointment time is not changed, only the vaccination site changes.
Please note:
- Come to be vaccinated only if you are healthy.
- Take your Kela card with you and take it out while you wait.
- Wear clothes that make it easy to expose your upper arm.
- Use a face mask and disinfect your hands when you come and when you go.
- Keep a safe distance (2 metres) to other people while you wait.
- Be prepared to stay at the vaccination site for 15 minutes after the vaccination.
The vaccination is free of charge for everyone and voluntary. COVID-19 vaccines offer effective protection against the COVID-19 disease and especially its severe forms. According to current knowledge, COVID-19 vaccines also work against mutated virus variants (source: THL).
Kela provides compensation for travel costs associated with COVID-19 vaccinations 27th of March to 31st of December 2021. More information on Kela’s website.
Why should I take the coronavirus vaccine?
- Coronavirus vaccines give effective protection against serious forms of COVID-19.
- The vaccines also protect against the long-term effects of COVID-19, the so-called long COVID, which may cause prolonged tiredness, shortness of breath, cough and joint and chest pain.
- By taking the vaccine, you can protect not only yourself but also others. The coronavirus vaccination significantly reduces the secretion of the virus and its spreading from one person to another.
- The risks associated with the vaccine are significantly smaller than those associated with a coronavirus infection. Link: Information about the coronavirus vaccination
- With vaccinations, we can return to a more normal life and the need for restrictions is reduced. Everyone who decides to take the vaccine makes a difference.
Vaccination after COVID-19
Having COVID-19 leads to a similar immune response as a vaccine dose. Research shows that persons who have had COVID-19 and receive one vaccine dose develop a response that is at least as good as that which is developed by a person who has not had the disease and who has received two vaccine doses. If a person who has been vaccinated gets COVID-19, the disease strengthens the protection that has been created through vaccination in the same way as the next vaccine dose does in persons who have not had the disease.
It must, however, be noted that the interval between a vaccine dose and a coronavirus infection must be long enough: at least six weeks. Otherwise, the infection is not considered equivalent to a vaccine dose. A longer interval leads to a better immune response.
A first dose after COVID-19
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare THL recommends a first vaccine dose for persons who have had COVID-19:
- two months after COVID-19 at the earliest, if the person has turned 18
- 4-6 months after COVID-19 at the earliest, if the person has not yet turned 18
A second dose after COVID-19
THL recommends that a second dose is offered as a booster to those who have had COVID-19 and have received one vaccine dose. A second dose:
- is recommended for people aged 60 or over and those in at-risk groups 3 to 4 months after they received the first vaccine dose or had the disease, whichever has happened most recently.
- can be offered to everyone aged 18 or over 4 to 6 months after they received the first dose or had the disease, whichever happened most recently.
For those who have had the disease, the second vaccine dose is equivalent to a third vaccine dose.
A second dose may, however, be given earlier if it is necessary for example because of a trip or for other substantial reasons. In such a case, a second dose may be given with the ordinary interval of 6–12 weeks. It is, however, good to remember that a longer interval between vaccine doses guarantees a qualitatively and quantitatively better protection.
A third dose after COVID-19
THL recommends a third vaccine dose for persons who have turned 12 and are severely immunocompromised, even if they have had COVID-19. A third dose is recommended 3–4 months after the previous vaccine dose or 3–4 months after having had COVID-19, whichever has happened most recently.
Other persons do not, at least for now, need a third vaccine dose in order to be protected if they have had COVID-19 and have received two vaccine doses.
A third dose may, however, also be given to other persons besides those who are severely immunocompromised if it is necessary for example because of a trip or for other substantial reasons. In such a case, a third dose may be given in accordance with the common schedule for third doses.
More information on THL’s website (in Finnish).
Vaccines
Information on coronavirus vaccines and answers to frequently asked questions can be found on THL’s website.
mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna)
In Soite’s area, basically healthy 12–65-year-old persons are vaccinated with mRNA vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech’s Comirnaty or Moderna’s vaccine).
Those aged 5–11 will be given the BioNTech-Pfizer Comirnaty vaccine; a preparation with a smaller dosage will be used specifically for this age group.
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare THL has instructed that men and boys under the age of 30 should, for now, only be offered BioNTech-Pfizer’s Comirnaty-vaccine. According to a Nordic follow-up study, myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) is proportionally more common in persons who have received Moderna’s Spikevax-vaccine than in persons who have received BioNTech-Pfizer’s Comirnaty-vaccine, and the risk of getting myocarditis is higher in young men than in women. According to the study, myocarditis is, overall, uncommon in persons who have received a coronavirus vaccine. Myocarditis occurs continually also in persons who have not been vaccinated, as a result of different infections. More information in THL’s press release.
Persons over the age of 65 are vaccinated in accordance with instructions from The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare THL. The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare THL decided that 65–69-year-old persons may also be vaccinated with mRNA vaccines from the beginning of May if the person who is to be vaccinated so chooses (more information in THL’s text in Finnish). In Soite’s area, this means that persons over the age of 65 may choose if they are vaccinated with an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech’s Comirnaty or Moderna’s vaccine) or with AstraZeneca’s Vaxzevria vaccine. If the appointment is booked online, the person must choose the vaccine they want to have in the Omahoito service.
Please note! Exceptions are persons over the age of 65 who have had a sinus thrombosis or who have had a low platelet count in connection with treatment with heparin (thrombocytopenia, HIT): these persons are always vaccinated with mRNA vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech’s Comirnaty or Moderna). If you have had such an illness, please book your appointment by phone.
The use of AstraZeneca’s Vaxzevria vaccine stops in Finland in November 2021. Starting from the last week in October, Janssen’s adenovirus vector vaccine is offered instead of AstraZeneca to persons who have turned 65 and older. The vaccine can also be offered those 18–64-year-old persons who cannot be given an mRNA vaccine because of medical reasons. More information in the press release by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare THL (in Finnish).
When Moderna’s Spikevax is given as a third dose, only half a dose is used. In the vaccine manufacturer’s studies, half a dose has been used as a booster dose and a very good vaccine response has been achieved with this dosage. With a lower dose of Spikevax, the likelihood of side effects is also lower.
Comirnaty or half a dose of Spikevax is also recommended for the third vaccine dose for persons who have been vaccinated within a short interval. For severely immunocompromised patients, a full dose of Spikevax may still be given as a third dose.
If the person who is to be vaccinated cannot be given an mRNA vaccine because of an allergy, AstraZeneca’s or Janssen’s vaccine can be used.
Protein vaccines (Novavax)
The Novavax Nuvaxovid vaccine is used for first and second vaccinations for persons over the age of 18. The Nuvaxovid vaccine is primarily recommended for persons who cannot be administered the previously introduced mRNA or adenoviral vector vaccines. The vaccine may also be administered to other persons aged 18 or over who want a protein-based vaccine instead of other vaccine products. The Nuvaxovid vaccine is suitable for almost all adults. For example, having previously had coronavirus disease is not a contraindication for vaccination.
A basic vaccination series consists of two vaccinations. The recommended vaccination interval is 6–12 weeks. The third dose is given with another vaccine 3–4 months after the second dose. For now, the Nuvaxovid vaccine is not given as a third or fourth dose other than in exceptional cases.
There are a limited number of Nuvaxovid vaccine doses available and the vaccine is only available through appointment booking. Appointment booking by phone 06 828 7488. Telephone hours Monday-Thursday 9 am to 3 pm and Friday 9 am to 2 pm.
Possible side effects
All vaccines, like other medicines, may have side effects. If you experience any side effects and need help, you can call Soite’s Medical Helpline at 116 117. Most side effects of the coronavirus vaccines are mild and temporary. The most common side effects after vaccination are local symptoms at the injection site, such as pain, redness, heat and swelling. Transient general symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, headache, fatigue, irritability, nausea and chills are also very common. Additional information can be found at both THL’s and FIMEA’s web sites.
Safety measures against the coronavirus must be remembered even after vaccination — use of face masks will continue
After vaccination it is still important to maintain social distancing, to practise good hand and coughing hygiene, to use face masks when social distancing is not possible, to be tested when symptoms emerge, and to follow other instructions in fighting the coronavirus.
This is necessary because we do not have enough information about how effectively the vaccine prevents transmission. Guidelines are amended as new information emerges, but at this time the same recommendations apply to both vaccinated persons and those not protected by vaccination. This is a precautionary principle.
After the start of vaccinations, it will still take a long time before immune protection at the population level is achieved and the epidemic has been defeated.
Link: Transmission and protection – coronavirus (The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, THL)
Everyone can help in the fight against the coronavirus and other infectious diseases by practising good hand hygiene and by coughing, sneezing, and blowing their nose correctly. This is why these practices are always important.
Vaccination certificates
EU’s COVID-19 vaccination certificate is now available on the My Kanta Pages. Two other EU vaccination certificates, i.e. certificate on test and certificate on previous COVID-19 infection come to the My Kanta Pages beginning on 14th of July. The previous Finnish national COVID-19 vaccination certificate was taken out of use and it is recommended that a national vaccination certificate that is saved e.g. on the phone or printed on paper, is replaced with EU’s COVID-19 vaccination certificate. The national COVID-19 vaccination certificate is automatically replaced with EU’s COVID-19 vaccination certificate on the My Kanta Pages.
There is regional variation regarding how quickly information on vaccinations is transferred to the My Kanta Pages. This is why the vaccination certificates are not yet on the My Kanta Pages for all persons who have been vaccinated. If needed, the vaccination certificate can be received on paper from the health care services.
EU’s COVID-19 vaccination certificate contains information on the coronavirus vaccinations a person has received: for example the name of the vaccine product that has been used, the day the latest vaccination has been given and the number of vaccine doses. A certificate is received already after the first vaccination.
EU’s COVID-19 vaccination certificate can be shown on a mobile device or can be printed on a paper. The information on EU’s COVID-19 certificate is in Finnish, Swedish and English. The certificate is free of charge.
Additional information in THL’s message (in Finnish).