Finland to expand national vaccination programme with chickenpox and shingles shots

Finland’s ministry of social affairs and health has proposed adding chickenpox and shingles vaccines to the national immunisation programme, following recommendations from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.

Under the plan, chickenpox vaccinations would be offered to all unprotected adults—those who have neither had the disease nor been vaccinated. Shingles shots would be provided to patients who have undergone organ or stem cell transplants, as well as those with haematological cancers such as leukaemia.

The ministry aims to implement the chickenpox vaccine expansion as soon as possible, while the shingles vaccine addition would take effect on 1 February 2027. Public consultation on the proposal remains open until 15 June.