Finland is taking proactive measures to combat bird flu by offering preemptive vaccinations to workers who have exposure to animals. The country has purchased vaccines for 10,000 people as part of a joint EU procurement of up to 40 million doses. This makes Finland the first country in the world to roll out these vaccinations.
The vaccines, consisting of two injections, will be offered to individuals aged 18 or older who are at an increased risk of contracting avian influenza due to their work or other circumstances. Last year, widespread outbreaks of bird flu among mink and foxes at open-air fur farms in Finland resulted in the culling of 485,000 animals. The H5N1 strain of bird flu has been a significant issue globally, leading to the culling of hundreds of millions of poultry. While Finland has not detected the virus in humans, the country wants to be proactive due to the risks posed by its fur farms.
Workers at fur and poultry farms, lab technicians handling bird flu samples, veterinarians, and those working in other animal-related sectors will be offered the vaccine. In the event of human infection, close contacts of suspected or confirmed cases will also have access to the vaccine. Vaccinations are expected to begin as early as next week in some regions. This move by Finland shows its commitment towards protecting its citizens and ensuring that they are safe from any potential health risks posed by avian influenza.
