Europe

There are confirmed cases of A (H1N1) - Swine flu in Finland. A national quarantine policy exists, but is yet to be implemented. Passengers with flu symptoms arriving on flights from Central America and the US, plus countries with several cases of Swine Flu (including UK),   are medically screened. Finnair does not currently allow passengers with swine flu (or those exhibiting the symptoms) to fly. Finland has purchased the pre-pandemic vaccine, to cover its whole 5.3 million population. It assumes two doses: one pre-pandemic, the other during a pandemic. In their response to cases of Swine Flu, Finland will shortly move to a “treatment phase”. You can check for updates on the number of cases and their location through the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs website . The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The World Health Organisation website has further details. You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. Check our Swine Flu page for further information. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website.

The Finnish health system is generally good though, as with the NHS, there are occasional problems over access or speed of treatment.

The Form E111 is no longer valid.  You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK.  The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Finnish nationals.  It also does not cover you for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature.  For more general information see European Health Insurance Card.

The Finnish health system is generally good though, as with the NHS, there are occasional problems over access to or speed of treatment.

There are about 20-40 cases of tick-borne encephalitis each year, mostly in the Åland Islands.  Immunisation is an option.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 2,400 adults aged 15 or over in Finland were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.1% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.  You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Finland and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the  NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health.