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The peak in this winter?s swine flu cases has already passed, according to Finland's National Institute for Health and Welfare, the THL. The Institute has confirmed cases of ten patients in intensive care as well as one fatality in Kotka, where a healthy man in his forties died after getting sick with the swine flu.
Research professor Petri Ruutu from the THL estimates that two thirds of the population have protection against the swine flu from vaccinations taken last year, as well as by actually having contracted the disease. Ruutu says that all in all, the epidemic has been on a small scale this year.
However, Ruutu advises those belonging to high-risk groups to get a seasonal influenza vaccination, as last year?s swine flu vaccination does not give protection against the new A-virus strain that is now spreading in Europe. This year's influenza vaccine provides protection against the different flu strains.
The seasonal influenza will probably arrive in Finland between January and March. A vaccination is recommended for over 65-year-olds, pregnant women, children under three, those with long-term illnesses, as well as for nurses.
Research professor Petri Ruutu from the THL estimates that two thirds of the population have protection against the swine flu from vaccinations taken last year, as well as by actually having contracted the disease. Ruutu says that all in all, the epidemic has been on a small scale this year.
However, Ruutu advises those belonging to high-risk groups to get a seasonal influenza vaccination, as last year?s swine flu vaccination does not give protection against the new A-virus strain that is now spreading in Europe. This year's influenza vaccine provides protection against the different flu strains.
The seasonal influenza will probably arrive in Finland between January and March. A vaccination is recommended for over 65-year-olds, pregnant women, children under three, those with long-term illnesses, as well as for nurses.
