Eksote has started corona vaccinations in schools

Vaccinations at schools will start in different parts of South Karelia this week and next week. You don't need to make an appointment for vaccinations in advance, but you will be given the vaccinations according to the instructions received from the school health nurse. Schools inform about regional arrangements through Wilma.

South Karelia's social and health district Eksote has prepared corona vaccinations for over 12-year-olds to be given at schools in the region during August. Vaccinations are given to children and young people with approved Pfizer and Moderna preparations.

Vaccination can only be given to those already 12 years old. If the student does not turn 12 until later this year, he will not receive the corona vaccination until he turns 12. You can ask your school health nurse for vaccination instructions.

On Taipalsaari, vaccinations started on Wednesday. In Parikkala, vaccinations start on August 30.8, in Lemi and Savitaipale on August 31.8, in Rautjärvi on September 1.9, in Ruokolahti and Luumäi on September 2.9.

In Lappeenranta, vaccinations will start at Joutseno school on 30.8 August, at Sammonlahti school soon, at Kesämäki school on 3.9 September, at Lauritsala school on 7.9 September. and at Myllymäki school on 9.9.

In Imatra, the vaccinations start at the Koske school center on August 30.8, at the Mansikkala school center on August 31.8. and at the Vuoksenniska school center on September 1.9.

Vaccinations are continued at schools according to the schedules agreed with them.

Walk-in vaccinations continue

Eksote still organizes walk-in vaccinations. All residents of South Karelia aged 12 and older can come to IsoKristiina in Lappeenranta for their first corona vaccination without an appointment at IsoKristiina on weekdays from 9.30:14.30 a.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.

All residents of South Karelia aged 12 and older can come to Imatra's ToriGalleria for their first corona vaccination without an appointment today, Thursday, August 26.8. from 13:16 to XNUMX:XNUMX.

Eksote hopes that as many entrants as possible would take the 2nd vaccination, if 1 weeks have passed since the 8st vaccination, to enable registration.

Corona vaccines safe and effective

Corona disease is usually mild in children and young people. It is known that young people belonging to risk groups have a serious disease more often than other people of the same age. However, in rare cases, the coronavirus can also cause severe corona disease or secondary disease in a healthy young person. Young people have also reported long-lasting symptoms after the corona virus, but there is little research information on the subject.

- More than 20 000-12 year olds have been vaccinated in Finland. According to the information received from Fimea, a total of 15 side effect reports have been made, of which six side effects have been reported as serious and one of them has led to hospitalization. As a rule, vaccines cause the same local symptoms in this age group as in adults. You may experience redness, itching, hand pain, fever or nausea at the vaccination site, says Eksoten's director of health services Tuula Karhula.

Local and General symptoms usually start within a couple of days after vaccination. They pass in a few hours or days. They can be treated with a fever and pain reliever such as ibuprofen, naproxen or paracetamol. Local and general symptoms do not prevent further vaccinations.

Corona vaccination reduces the transmission of the virus from one person to another. Therefore, with the help of vaccinations, it is also possible to mitigate the need for restrictions especially on children and young people.

- It is understandable that the new vaccine raises concerns. However, millions of doses of these mRNA vaccines given to children and adolescents have now been administered around the world. Research has been done and more are being done all the time, the benefits and harms are evaluated based on the researched information, says Karhula.

- The vaccination debate turns into a battle between extremes. Most of the time, those who think about the safety of the vaccine are ordinary parents or children. It would be important for them to have the opportunity to make a decision about vaccinating or not vaccinating based on reliable information. You should look for information on THL's website and also familiarize yourself with sources that are also mentioned on THL's website, advises Karhula.

Several quarantines at schools

There are currently several people exposed to the coronavirus in South Karelia. Schools have quarantined students and staff. Eksoten's infection tracking makes contact and goes over possible exposure situations with the sick person. An exposed person may receive information about possible exposure more quickly through a hobbyist, employer or school.

If you have possibly been exposed to the coronavirus, proceed as follows:

• The person exposed must be quarantined immediately to avoid spreading the virus.
• Make a symptom assessment of the coronavirus disease at omaolo.fi. The guardian can make a symptom assessment and, if necessary, book a corona test appointment on behalf of the child under 15 years old.
• If the exposed person is asymptomatic, the corona test is not immediately necessary. In this case, family members can also do business outside the home as normal.
• If the exposed person or other family members develop symptoms, schedule a testing appointment for the symptomatic person. You should wait for the test result in self-imposed quarantine. Other family members should also limit their participation in e.g. hobbies until the result of the corona test of the person with symptoms is clear.
• Feel free to wait for us to contact you about Eksoten's infection tracking. During the call, matters related to quarantine and possibly necessary certificates will be reviewed.
• Even if the person is asymptomatic, the exposed person must take a corona test before the end of the 10-day quarantine, but not before at least six days have passed since the exposure.
• If you can't access the Omaolo online service, book a corona test appointment by calling your own health center or the emergency service on tel.​ 116 117

More information for the media:

Tuula Karhula, director of health services, Eksote, tel. 040 194 4936, wind.bearexote.fi (tuula[dot]karhula[at]eksote[dot]fi)