The influenza season has started earlier than normal in Finland this year, according to the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
It said that influenza cases were also rising earlier elsewhere around the world.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has recommended that people at risk of complications from influenza get vaccinated without delay. Influenza vaccination distribution has already started in Finland.
However, according to THL, the vaccine being administered may be somewhat less effective against the variant that appears to be spreading this season.
Over the summer, the type-A influenza virus mutated into a new subtype and has since spread around the world. The influenza cases examined in Finland mainly turned out to be of the mutated variant, according to the health agency.
THL has recommended influenza vaccinations for everyone under the age of seven, over 65, pregnant women and those belonging to risk groups.
