Travel Vaccines and Advice for Finland
Finland offers large cities, small villages, and well-preserved wilderness. In the city, there is beautiful, modern architecture and fun bars. Tampere is particularly fun, with a large student population.
For those who enjoy exploring the outdoors, there are gorgeous hiking trails and amazing national parks. Visitors can see bears or elk on these trips. There are also plenty of opportunities for kayaking or skiing.
On This Page:
Do I Need Vaccines for Finland?
Other Ways to Stay Healthy in Finland
Do I Need a Passport or Visa for Finland?
What Is the Climate Like in Finland?
How Safe Is Finland?
Seeing the Northern Lights
What Should I Take to Finland?
U.S. Embassy to Finland
Do I Need Vaccines for Finland?
Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Finland. The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Finland: hepatitis A, polio, tick-borne encephalitis, rabies, hepatitis B, influenza, COVID-19, pneumonia, meningitis, chickenpox, shingles, Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR).
See the bullets below to learn more about some of these key immunizations:
- Hepatitis A –
Food & Water –
Recommended for most travelers. - Polio –
Food & Water –
Due to an increase in cases globally, an additional adult booster is recommended for most travelers to any destination. - Tick-borne Encephalitis –
Ticks –
Typically found in some island and coastal regions. Limited risk outside these areas. - Rabies –
Saliva of Infected Animals –
Vaccine recommended for long-term travelers and those who may come in contact with animals. - Hepatitis B –
Blood & Body Fluids –
Recommended for travelers to most regions. - Influenza –
Airborne –
Vaccine components change annually. - COVID-19 –
Airborne –
Recommended for travel to all regions, both foreign and domestic. - Pneumonia –
Airborne –
Two vaccines given separately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. - Meningitis –
Direct Contact & Airborne –
Given to anyone unvaccinated or at an increased risk, especially students. - Chickenpox –
Direct Contact & Airborne –
Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. - Shingles –
Direct Contact –
Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. - Polio –
Food & Water –
Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended. - TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) –
Wounds & Airborne –
Only one adult booster of pertussis required. - Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) –
Various Vectors –
Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended.
See the table below for more information:
Recommended Travel Vaccinations for Finland |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | Food & Water | Recommended for most travelers. |
| Polio | Food & Water | Due to an increase in cases globally, an additional adult booster is recommended for most travelers to any destination. |
| Tick-borne Encephalitis | Ticks | Typically found in some island and coastal regions. Limited risk outside these areas. |
| Rabies | Saliva of Infected Animals | Vaccine recommended for long-term travelers and those who may come in contact with animals. |
| Hepatitis B | Blood & Body Fluids | Recommended for travelers to most regions. |
Routine Vaccinations for Finland |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Influenza | Airborne | Vaccine components change annually. |
| COVID-19 | Airborne | Recommended for travel to all regions, both foreign and domestic. |
| Pneumonia | Airborne | Two vaccines given separately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. |
| Meningitis | Direct Contact & Airborne | Given to anyone unvaccinated or at an increased risk, especially students. |
| Chickenpox | Direct Contact & Airborne | Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. |
| Shingles | Direct Contact | Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. |
| TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) | Wounds & Airborne | Only one adult booster of pertussis required. |
| Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) | Various Vectors | Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. |
Specific Vaccine Information
- Hepatitis A – Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. It’s typically spread through contaminated food or water. The hepatitis A vaccine is a safe and effective immunization that protects against the virus, usually given in two shots for long-term prevention.
- Tick-borne Encephalitis – Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a neurological viral infection transmitted by ticks. Combating TBE involves tick bite prevention and, critically, vaccination if visiting areas with the disease.
- Rabies – Rabies, a fatal viral illness, is primarily transmitted through the saliva of infected animals. Prevention centers on vaccination, with post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) necessary after possible exposure and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) recommended for individuals with increased risk, such as travelers.
- Hepatitis B – The hepatitis B vaccine is a vital tool in the prevention of this liver infection, recommended for all travelers and essential for healthcare workers and those at higher risk of exposure.
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) – Measles, mumps, and rubella are viral infections that spread easily. Vaccination with the MMR vaccine is the CDC’s top recommendation for preventing these diseases. It offers comprehensive protection against all three viruses, ensuring the safety of both individuals and the community.
Visit our vaccinations page to learn more. Travel safely with Passport Health and schedule your appointment today by calling or book online now.
Other Ways to Stay Healthy in Finland
Prevent Bug Bites in Finland
Shield yourself from bug bites with proper attire and EPA-approved repellents such as DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Safeguard your sleep area with bed nets and screens. In case of bug bites, clean the area, resist scratching, and utilize over-the-counter solutions while seeking professional assistance for severe reactions.
Food and Water Safety in Finland
Abroad, practice food safety by avoiding street vendors, washing hands thoroughly, and choosing well-cooked meals. Opt for bottled or canned drinks with unbroken seals. Prevent travelers’ diarrhea by practicing hand hygiene, skipping raw foods, and dining at reputable establishments.
Do I Need a Passport or Visa for Finland?
American travelers visiting Finland must have a passport that is valid for at least six months. A visa is not needed for stays under 90 days.
Finland Entry Requirements |
||
| Do I Need A… | For My Trip to Finland? | |
|---|---|---|
| Passport |  |
|
| Tourist Visa | ||
| Business Visa | ||
| Vaccinations | ||
Sources: Embassy of Finland and U.S. State Department
Travelers must show proof of sufficient funds for the duration of their stay. You may need to show proof of a return airline ticket.
What Is the Climate Like in Finland?
Finland is a country with many popular tourist destinations that have different weather depending on the location and time of year.
Helsinki is the capital city of Finland and has mild weather with warm summers and cold winters.
Rovaniemi is known for its Santa Claus Village and the Northern Lights. It has cold and snowy weather in the winter, but warm weather with long days in the summer.
Turku is a historic city with milder weather and more rain throughout the year. Tampere is known for its industrial heritage and cultural attractions and has weather like Turku.
It is essential to pack appropriate clothing for the weather when visiting any of these destinations.
How Safe Is Finland?
The crime rate is low in Finland compared to other countries. Petty crime, such as pick-pocketing and bag-snatching, is common in large cities. Avoid carrying unnecessary valuables with them. Travelers should not leave their possessions unattended.
Violent crime is rate, but does occur. Additionally, organized crime groups are present in Finland. Visitors should travel only in well-lit areas and avoid traveling alone if possible. All travelers should exercise caution and be aware of their surroundings while traveling.
Seeing the Northern Lights
Avoid an Embarrassing Stop
Over 70% of travelers
will have diarrhea.
Get protected with Passport Health’s
travelers’ diarrhea kit!
The Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis are a gorgeous sight. One of the best places to view them is in Aurorae, Finland, which is located in the very north of the country. In northern Finland, the lights shine on a clear night between September and March. In southern Finland, they can also be seen about 10-20 nights each year.
Travelers can also spend the night in a log cabin or wilderness cabin for an authentic trip. From these cabins travelers can go on guided snowshoe and skiing trips during the day. There are even options canoe, learn to fish, collect wild food, and go bear watching.
What Should I Take to Finland?
If you’re planning a trip to Finland, there are some important things you should pack. Finland can get very cold, especially in winter, so you’ll need warm clothes like a coat, gloves, hat, and boots. It’s also a good idea to pack clothes you can layer, so you can adjust your outfit to the weather.
Finland is known for its forests and lakes, bring comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots. You’ll also want to pack waterproof clothing like a raincoat or poncho in case it rains. If you’re coming from a country with different electrical outlets, you’ll need a travel adapter to charge your devices.
Many people in Finland speak English, but it’s always helpful to have a Finnish phrasebook to communicate with locals and understand signs. Finland is a beautiful country, so don’t forget your camera or smartphone to take pictures.
Saunas are a big part of Finnish culture, if you plan to visit one, bring a towel and swimsuit. Mosquitoes can be a nuisance during the summer, pack mosquito repellent. Even though Finland is known for its long winter nights, the summer months can have long hours of daylight. Bring sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun.
U.S. Embassy to Finland
When traveling it is very helpful to find out exactly where the U.S. embassy or consulates are located. Keep the address written down in case you have a legal problem, you lose your passport, or you want to report a crime. Be sure to keep a copy of your passport with you in case you lose the original.
U.S. Embassy Helsinki
Itäinen Puistotie 14 B
00140 Helsinki
Finland
Phone: +358-9-616-250
Travelers should also look into enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a service offered by the Bureau of Consular Affairs. It is a free service that provides travelers with information from the Embassy about safety conditions in the country of travel. It also allows the Embassy or your family and friends to get in touch with you in the case of emergency.
Ready to start your next journey? Call us at or book online now!
Customer Reviews
Passport Health – Travel Vaccines for Finland
Overall rating: 5 stars – 2 reviews
★★★★★
“My visit to the Clinic“
“I went today to get my second shot for my travels to Finland and also got my medicine. The nurse went over all my shot records and gave me advice about my upcoming travel. I like going to Passport Health because it is close to my home and the office is very clean. I also like the fact that you aren’t rushed and the nurses can guide you with what shots are recommended for your travels.”
Submitted by: Ginger
★★★★★
“Great Nurse“
“The nurse was excellent in all respects. She answered all my questions (and I had a lot), plus she provided good information to calm my overall anxiety about traveling to Finland.”
Submitted by: Robert
“I went today to get my second shot for my travels to Finland and also got my medicine. The nurse went over all my shot records and gave me advice about my upcoming travel. I like going to Passport Health because it is close to my home and the office is very clean. I also like the fact that you aren’t rushed and the nurses can guide you with what shots are recommended for your travels.”
“The nurse was excellent in all respects. She answered all my questions (and I had a lot), plus she provided good information to calm my overall anxiety about traveling to Finland.”
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