Those who are eligible for a fourth Covid jab should do so ahead of the Christmas break, and it would be a good idea to get the flu vaccine at the same time, according to the Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
The agency has recommended everyone over the age of 65 to seek out the Covid boosters.
Meanwhile, THL has also recommended that other adults belonging to risk groups, as well as people over the age of 12 with severely weakened immune systems, should also get the fourth jabs.
The flu vaccine is also available, and it would be a good opportunity to get one when receiving the Covid booster, THL explained.
The flu season has already begun, with the number of cases on the rise in recent weeks.
The health authority noted that simultaneous Covid and flu infections are possible, which is why getting vaccinated is important.
"Many vaccination points are closed over the holidays, so if possible, you should get the recommended vaccine doses for both Covid and influenza before Christmas," THL's chief physician Hanna Nohynek said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
She added that it would be good for people to allow the protection vaccines offer to build up before meeting family and friends over the holiday.
"This is also why it is important to take the vaccines now," she said.
The agency noted that the flu season is estimated to last from October until the end of April. More than 1.4 million doses of the influenza vaccine have already been administered, according to THL.
"It's worth taking both vaccines, because getting sick with Covid and influenza at the same time can be a serious situation," Nohynek said.
THL noted that municipalities are responsible for distributing vaccines and that people can find out how to get their jabs from local healthcare providers.
