Finland to be the first country to administer bird flu vaccine

Finland is set to become the first country in the world to administer bird flu vaccinations, with plans to start next week, according to health officials. The vaccines will be given to workers, starting with those at mink farms, who are at increased risk of contracting avian influenza due to their work or other circumstances. The country has purchased enough vaccines for 10,000 people, with each person receiving two injections as part of a larger EU procurement of up to 40 million doses from Australian vaccine-maker CSL Seqirus. The H5N1 bird flu strain has caused the deaths of millions of birds globally and has been spreading to cattle herds in the United States, raising concerns about potential transmission to humans. While Finland has not reported any cases of bird flu in humans, the country's fur farming operations are considered high-risk for transmission. Last year, around 485,000 animals were culled at fur farms to prevent the spread of the virus. Health authorities in Finland are targeting workers at fur and poultry farms, lab technicians handling bird flu samples, veterinarians in regions with fur farms, and others at risk for vaccination. The country aims to offer preemptive vaccinations to minimize the risk of bird flu transmission to humans, particularly due to the outdoor nature of its fur farms where animals can come into contact with wildlife. Experts warn that while the current risk of bird flu transmission to humans is low, any new mutations in the virus could pose a greater threat. Globally, there have been 11 human cases of bird flu reported this year, with countries like Cambodia and the US experiencing outbreaks. Finland's vaccination campaign will focus on targeting the H5 protein on the virus and aims to protect those at risk of exposure to the virus, including workers in various animal-related industries.