Get ready for the autumn/winter flu season

Get ready for the autumn/winter flu season

The flu vaccine should be taken in October−November so that your immune system can respond to it and
develop antibodies before the flu season.

Registration takes place via an electronic form.
https://elomake.helsinki.fi/lomakkeet/63612/lomake.html

Registration is hoped for in terms of the practical arrangements. You can also come without
registration. Influenza vaccination is given in the upper arm near the shoulder. Speed up vaccination
dressing so that you can easily get the upper arm uncovered.

Grant-funded researchers and those not entitled to occupational health services can obtain the
vaccination at cost, which means that the occupational health provider will retrospectively bill the person
in question. Flu vaccination via Mehiläinen costs 33 euros.

The University of Helsinki will not reimburse the costs of a flu vaccine given during a separate
occupational health appointment.
People in at-risk groups are recommended to seek vaccination according to the instructions of their home
municipality.

“What is seasonal influenza?

Seasonal influenza is a respiratory illness caused by a virus. It spreads easily by
droplet transmission, e.g. through coughing or sneezing. It can also be spread through touch. The
symptoms of seasonal influenza are a quickly rising and high temperature,
severely aching muscles, shivering, tiredness, headache, feeling unwell and a
severe cough. Because influenza is a viral illness, antibiotics are ineffective.
Seasonal influenza is a different disease from the common cold. In healthy
people of working age, seasonal influenza usually involves a high temperature
but can be treated at home. Some people, however, have a higher risk of
suffering a serious illness which may even require hospital treatment.
A simple way of preventing influenza is to wash your hands thoroughly after
going to the toilet, before meals, after blowing your nose and after being outside. It is also important to avoid
touching your face with your fingers because viruses easily enter the mucous
membranes of the respiratory system that way. Transmitting the disease to
others can be prevented by coughing away from other people into a disposable
handkerchief or into your sleeve.

Why is it worth having the vaccine?

Vaccination is the best prevention against influenza. The majority of people
who have the injection do not catch influenza. If you do, however, catch
influenza, it will usually be a milder case and quicker to recover from if you
have had the injection. The protection takes about two weeks to be effective.
Last year’s seasonal influenza injection will not protect against this year’s
seasonal influenza.

The seasonal influenza vaccine is safe

Research has shown that the seasonal influenza vaccine is safe. After the
injection, the site of the injection may redden and feel sore. Sometimes people
who have had the injection suffer aching muscles or joints, headaches or a
temperature. These symptoms will pass in a couple of days and can be treated
with pain relievers. Other side-effects are rare. The vaccine does not contain
living viruses so it cannot give you influenza. However, the seasonal influenza
vaccine only protects against influenza. It does not protect against colds or
other respiratory illnesses.

Is the influenza vaccine suitable for everyone?

The vaccine is suitable for almost everyone. If you are severely allergic to eggs
or if you had an allergic reaction to a previous injection, you should first discuss
with your nurse or doctor. You should not have the vaccine if you have a
temperature. You can have the injection once your temperature is back to
normal.
Auli Rytivaara
Head occupational health doctor
Mehiläinen Working Life Services”
For more information, please contact
HRD and Wellbeing Unit
Hannele Rönkkö
tel. 050 31 99 582
hannele.ronkko@helsinki.fi