Finland Leads the Way in Avian Influenza Vaccination for Farm Owners and Workers

Finland is leading the way in vaccinating farm owners and farmers who have regular contact with livestock and poultry, making it the first country to implement such a program. This initiative is part of a joint procurement plan involving 15 EU countries, aiming to distribute 40 million doses of vaccine across the population.

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) has identified individuals eligible for vaccination as those aged 18 and above who are at high risk of contracting avian influenza due to their occupation or other factors. This group includes workers on fur farms, livestock and poultry farms, laboratory technicians handling influenza virus samples, and veterinarians involved in animal control. People working in conservation areas, wild bird care, and animal by-product processing plants will also be vaccinated. Close contacts and suspected cases will be vaccinated in the event of human cases being detected.

Finland’s proactive approach to bird flu vaccination highlights the country’s commitment to preventing the spread of the virus and protecting both animals and humans from its potential consequences. Although Finland has not reported any human cases of bird flu, it is introducing vaccination to minimize the risk of transmission from fur farms. An outbreak of bird flu in mink and outdoor fur farms last year led to the culling of approximately 485,000 animals in Finland to prevent the spread of the virus to humans. Avian influenza comprises various strains of influenza A viruses that primarily impact birds but can also infect non-avian species, including humans. Of these strains, H5N1 is prevalent among wild birds worldwide, posing a risk to humans and other animals through transmission via saliva, mucus, and feces.