Seasonal influenza vaccine is recommended for people at high risk of avian influenza infection

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) recommends a free and voluntary seasonal influenza vaccine for people at special risk of avian influenza infection as part of the national vaccination program, because the animal avian influenza epidemic is expected to continue in Finland during the autumn migration of birds and on fur farms even in the autumn. The seasonal influenza vaccine is estimated to provide some protection against avian influenza, although it does not directly protect against it. Vaccinations also aim to prevent the emergence of a new human-to-human transmissible virus. 

Seasonal influenza vaccines can be offered to all people who are at high risk of avian influenza virus infection, for example, due to their work. The vaccine is offered, for example, to people working on fur farms or with poultry, official veterinarians and laboratory workers involved in avian influenza sampling. These groups include a total of about 10,000 people. 

In addition, a free influenza vaccine is given in the national vaccination program to children under 7 years of age, pregnant women, people belonging to risk groups, people over 65 years of age, social and health care and pharmaceutical personnel involved in the direct care or maintenance of patients and clients, those starting military service and voluntary military service, people living in long-term institutional conditions such as reception centers or prisons, and people close to those who are especially susceptible to severe influenza.
 

More information: Targeted diseases: Influenza

Sources:

• THL (in Finnish)
• Mediuutiset (in Finnish)
• Yle (in Finnish)