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9mo ago

CDC Funds Flu Vaccines for Farmworkers to Prevent Bird Flu Mutation

The $10 million initiative aims to reduce the risk of a new, more dangerous flu strain emerging from co-infections.

Bird flu poses a threat to some farm workers. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images).
Federal officials are working to vaccinate livestock workers against seasonal flu as part of the national bird flu response to prevent the virus from mutating to cause more severe infection or become more transmissible. To date, 13 people, all livestock workers, have fallen ill from bird flu this year.
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Overview

  • Seasonal flu vaccines will be offered to approximately 200,000 livestock workers in the U.S.
  • The initiative includes $5 million for vaccines and $5 million for outreach and education.
  • Thirteen farmworkers have contracted mild cases of H5N1 bird flu this year.
  • Health officials are concerned about the potential for flu viruses to mix and create a new, more transmissible strain.
  • The program will be administered by state and local health departments and community organizations.