According to Mika Salminen, Director of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Finland has obtained a total of 20,000 doses of the vaccine for those at risk of infection, meaning that 10,000 people can be vaccinated with two doses
In cooperation with the Finnish Food Authority, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare announced at the beginning of July the launch of vaccination against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) for individuals at greatest risk of exposure to the virus, including veterinarians. This means that Finnish veterinarians will be the first in the world to be vaccinated against HPAI.
The Seqirus IK Ltd. vaccine is currently the only preventive vaccine against zoonotic avian influenza authorised in the European Union (EU). Specifically, 15 EU member states and the European Economic Area (EEA) have participated in this voluntary procurement.
Finland, for its part, has obtained a total of 20,000 doses of the vaccine for those at risk of infection, meaning that 10,000 people can be vaccinated with two doses. The aim of the AI vaccine is to protect those at risk of contracting the serious disease caused by the virus.
Furthermore, the objective is also to prevent a situation in which the AI virus is transmitted to humans at the same time as the seasonal influenza virus, as this could enable the emergence of a new type of virus.
Finnish authorities have also communicated that the target groups for AI vaccination are: individuals in contact with animals on fur farms; workers in contact with poultry (excluding slaughterhouse workers); those involved in the handling and disposal of sick or dead birds or other animals; those working in facilities that process animal by-products; those working in animal care facilities; those working with birds on poultry or livestock farms; official veterinarians; laboratory technicians handling the AI virus or samples that may contain the virus; and all those who have had close contact with a suspected or confirmed human case of AI.
The H5N8 AI vaccine developed to prevent the H5 subtype virus received a marketing authorisation in the EU in April 2024. The vaccine consists of two doses. The second is administered at least 3 weeks after the first, although the interval between them may also be longer.
In addition, surveillance of AI on Finnish fur farms began in the first week of June, with biosecurity obligations for these premises having been strengthened; compliance with preventive measures is being monitored and authorities have reinforced biosecurity guidelines.
Finally, Finnish authorities are testing wild birds, particularly waterfowl and birds of prey, with the aim of achieving early detection of highly pathogenic AI, although they note that fewer cases of infections from this cause have been recorded in them across Europe this year than in previous years.
For further information:
-. Current situation (July 2024) of Avian Influenza
-. Avian Influenza on NeXusAvicultura.com