Helsinki, finland – As schools reopen and workplaces repopulate following the summer break, Finland is bracing for a rise in infectious diseases, prompting the Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) to recommend a new dose of the coronavirus vaccine for vulnerable populations this autumn. While the current infection situation remains relatively calm, health officials anticipate an increase in respiratory viruses, including the coronavirus and influenza, in the coming months.
The seasonal uptick in illnesses is a common occurrence following the summer, but proactive vaccination is crucial for protecting those most at risk. THL specifically advises individuals over the age of 75, as well as those with compromised immune systems or pre-existing conditions that elevate their risk of severe coronavirus disease, to receive a booster dose. This proposal comes even as overall infection rates are currently low.
“Viruses that cause colds and respiratory infections are increasing, and the Coronavirus is one of them,” stated Aurora Djupsjöbacka, an infectious protection physician at THL. While precise data on common cold viruses is limited due to reduced testing, officials are monitoring the situation closely.
Influenza infections are expected to peak later in the year, typically between January and February. THL recommends flu vaccination for all individuals over 65, pregnant peopel, children under seven, and those in risk groups. The availability of vaccines and further guidance will be announced as the vaccination season approaches.
