Avian influenza vaccinations begin – vaccine to be offered to persons at increased risk of infection
In cooperation with the Finnish Food Authority, THL has prepared a recommendation on the target groups of avian influenza vaccination. The vaccine is offered to persons aged 18 or over who are at increased risk of being infected with avian influenza because of their work or other circumstances.
They include
- persons who are in contact with fur animals at fur farms
- poultry workers who are in contact with poultry, excluding slaughterhouse workers
- persons participating in the handling and disposal of sick or dead birds or other animals, such as persons working in facilities processing animal by-products
- bird ringers
- person taking care of birds in animal care facilities
- persons working with birds in bird or livestock farms
- official veterinarians
- laboratory workers who handle the avian influenza virus or samples that may contain the virus
- persons who have had close contact with a suspected or confirmed case of avian influenza, should cases occur in humans.
Finland participated in the EU’s joint procurement of the avian influenza vaccine and has obtained a total of 20,000 doses of the vaccine for those at risk of infection. This amount is sufficient for vaccinating 10,000 people with two doses.
The aim of avian influenza vaccinations is to protect those at risk of being infected with avian influenza from the severe disease caused by the virus.
The aim is also to prevent a situation in which the avian influenza virus would be transmitted to humans at the same time with the seasonal influenza virus as this could enable a new type of virus to be born.
No avian influenza infections in humans in Finland so far
So far, no avian influenza infections have been detected in humans in Finland.
The infection may be contracted from sick or dead animals or from their excretions. However, the avian influenza virus is poorly transmitted to humans and in general, cases of infection are very rare.
The avian influenza virus of the subtype H5N1, which has caused the disease in wild and farmed animals also in Finland in the past few years, has also been linked with severe or fatal cases of the disease in humans.
Wellbeing services counties will start vaccinations as soon as possible
The H5N8 avian influenza vaccine developed to prevent the avian influenza virus of the subtype H5 was granted a marketing authorisation in the EU in April 2024.
The vaccine series consists of two doses. The second dose is given no earlier than 3 weeks after the first dose. However, the interval between the vaccinations may also be significantly longer.
“Efforts will be made to start the vaccinations in wellbeing services counties as soon as possible so that there will be enough time to offer the series of two doses of the vaccine to the target groups before the autumn influenza season begins,” says Medical Specialist Anniina Virkku from THL.
Wellbeing services counties are responsible for organising vaccinations, and they inform residents where and when vaccinations are available.
The Finnish Medicines Agency Fimea and THL are responsible for monitoring the safety of vaccines.
Situation with avian influenza in Finland calm
In 2023, large mass deaths of wild birds were observed in Finland due to infections caused by the avian influenza virus. The virus also spread widely to fur farms, causing high morbidity and mortality in the animals.
This year, the occurrence of the disease in wild birds has been significantly lower than last year. Only one case of the disease has so far been detected by the Finnish Food Authority.
The Finnish Food Authority monitors the occurrence of avian influenza in wild birds in Finland and prevents the spread of the disease in animal farms.
Enquiries:
Avian influenza vaccine (THL) (link in Finnish)
Avian influenza (THL) (link in Finnish)
Avian influenza cases in Finland (Finnish Food Authority)
Anniina Virkku (vaccinations)
Medical Specialist
THL
tel. +358 29 524 8231
[email protected]
Erika Lindh (avian influenza and human health)
Senior Researcher
THL
tel. +358 29 524 8039
[email protected]
