Government announces precautionary flu vaccinations

The Department of Health has announced that free seasonal flu vaccinations will be made available to employees who work in contact with poultry as a precautionary measure to preserve public health.

Vaccinations for seasonal influenza reduce any potential risk of a worker contracting seasonal and avian influenza simultaneously.

The department notes that if humans contract both forms of flue virus at the same time then a slight risk exists that the viruses could combine in the body and form a new virus.

Dr David Salisbury, director of immunisation, said: “Only those who are in close, prolonged contact with diseased birds are at risk from catching H5N1. Even so, people rarely become infected.”

He added that the purpose of the immunisation programme, one supported by the poultry industry, is to reduce the risk of a pandemic flu virus emerging in the UK and is part of the government’s contingency planning to protect against pandemic flu.

In October, the government announced that those groups most at risk of suffering from complications should receive immunisation for seasonal flu as supplies become available.

These groups include those over 65 years of age, with asthma, chronic heart, renal or liver disease, those with diabetes and those suffering immonosuppression.