Instructions for Covid-19 vaccination
Here you'll find instructions for what to do before and after a COVID-19 vaccinations.
Arriving for a COVID-19 vaccination
- Come only if you are healthy.
- Bring an identity card and a Kela card with you.
- Wear a short-sleeved shirt.
- Allow enough time for the appointment, as patients should be observed for 15 minutes after the vaccination. If you have previously had an anaphylactic reaction to another medicine or vaccine, the observation time is at least 30 minutes.
- If this is your first visit to Terveystalo, please fill in the basic information and consent form before the appointment.
- Please also download the Terveystalo application, where you will find information about the next vaccination appointment scheduled for you.
Arriving for the booster vaccination
Before getting a booster vaccination, you must have had two corona vaccinations already or one vaccination and one corona virus infection. At least 3 months must have passed since the previous booster vaccination or the previous corona virus infection, confirmed with a corona test at home or in a laboratory.
If you are unable to come, please cancel your appointment in our online appointment booking service. To schedule a new appointment, please go to Terveystalo application, terveystalo.com or call our customer service at +358 (0)30 6000.
Please do not reschedule unless it is absolutely necessary.
This will ensure that you receive the booster vaccination on time. This is important both for you and for others to be vaccinated – with good planning, we can provide vaccination to as many people as possible.
As a rule, you can continue to lead a normal life after the vaccination, but please remember to follow national and regional recommendations to minimize the risk of coronavirus infection, such as good hand and coughing hygiene, keeping a safe distance from others and wearing a mask.
About the vaccination
There are several COVID-19 vaccines in use in Finland. The vaccine to be used is determined according to the guidelines issued by THL. You can find detailed information about the different vaccines at THL's website.
Possible symptoms
- General symptoms: headache, joint and muscle pain, fever, chills, fatigue or nausea
- Local symptoms at the injection site: heat, redness, swelling, pain, itching, rash
General and local symptoms usually disappear within a few days. Extensive local reactions may last longer. However, this does not usually indicate an allergy.
General and local symptoms are not dangerous. They do not prevent you from getting the booster vaccination.
Treatment of symptoms
You can relieve headaches, fever, and joint and muscle pain with antipyretics and painkillers such as paracetamol. Ibuprofen or naproxen suppresses and treats local reactions at the injection site. Cortisone cream or an antihistamine can relieve itchy skin. A cold compress can reduce heat and swelling.
If symptoms persist
You cannot get a COVID-19 infection from the vaccine.
Fever and slight rise in temperature may be due to the vaccination, but they can also be COVID-19-related symptoms. Please stay home until you have been fever-free for 24 hours without an antipyretic.
If the rise in temperature persists for more than 3 days or if you develop other symptoms indicating COVID-19, please book a COVID-19 test.
Adverse effects
Like all medicines, this vaccine can cause side effects. In Finland, information on suspected adverse reactions to medicines and vaccines is collected in Fimea’s Register for adverse drug reactions, where health care professionals and users of medicines can report suspected or observed adverse reactions.
Reporting instructions can be found on the website of the Finnish Medicines Agency Fimea. You can also find information about previous reports there. Most symptoms are mild and short-lived and occur in only a small proportion of those vaccinated.
Information about the vaccination is recorded in the Kanta.fi database, i.e. the information is displayed in the My Kanta service. Thus everyone who has received a COVID-19 vaccine at Terveystalo will find their vaccination certificate free of charge in the My Kanta service.