Finland plans to offer preemptive bird flu vaccination to workers with exposure to animals, becoming the first country to do so as part of a joint EU procurement. The vaccine will be offered to those at increased risk of contracting avian influenza.
Key Points
Finland to offer preemptive bird flu vaccination to workers at risk
Vaccines procured for individuals in contact with animals and wildlife
Vaccinations to start as early as next week in some parts of Finland
Pros
Prevents potential outbreak of avian influenza among at-risk individuals
Protects workers in fur and poultry farms, lab technicians, and veterinarians from the virus
Cons
Limited availability of vaccines for a specific group of individuals