Finland is set to vaccinate 10,000 people against bird flu starting in July, as a precaution against potential outbreaks on farms. While there have been no recorded cases of H5N1 in humans in the country, officials are taking proactive measures due to concerns about disease spreading from fur harvesting farms. Those eligible for vaccination include workers at fur and poultry farms, laboratory technicians handling avian flu samples, and veterinarians.
The decision to roll out vaccinations comes in response to the global spread of the H5N1 virus strain since 2020, with cases being reported in livestock and humans in some regions of the US. Finland is also planning to cull around 486,000 animals in 2023 to prevent the further spread of the virus, as health experts warn of the potential for mutation and outbreaks in other countries.
This initiative makes Finland the first country in the world to deploy bird flu vaccinations for people, with a total of 15 European countries ordering 40 million doses. The vaccines are supplied by US company CSL Seqirus, a leading producer of influenza vaccines globally. The H5N1 vaccine is made using inactivated technology and is suitable for individuals aged 6 months and older.
Influenza A/H5N1, or avian influenza, is a viral disease that can cause severe illness, rapid progression, and death in humans. Symptoms include fever, cough, fatigue, body aches, muscle and throat pain. Currently, there is no specific treatment for influenza A/H5N1, so preventive measures such as vaccination, safe food handling practices, hand hygiene, and prompt veterinary intervention for sick animals are crucial in preventing the spread of the disease.