Vaccines Offered to Poultry Workers

Poultry workers in the Isle of Man are being offered seasonal flu vaccines after the UK has reported an increase of avian flu cases.

For those who handle or work with poultry are being offered the vaccine until March 31.

Public Health aims to lower the risk of poultry workers getting both human and avian ‘bird’ flu at the same time.

It says this will help prevent the creation of a new type of flu that spreads between people. 

Bird Flu & Seasonal Flu

Bird flu is a virus that causes disease in birds, but there is potential that it can be passed to humans.

Poultry, pigeons and wild or migratory birds, such as waterfowl can become infected with the virus.

If there was an outbreak of bird flu, there’s a slight risk that those who work in close contact with poultry or birds could catch the bird flu virus.

If they get human seasonal flu at the same time, the two viruses could mix in their bodies to make a new type of flu virus.

A new flu virus produced in this way could potentially be very infectious and cause serious illness in people, as they would not have any immunity to the new virus.

Poultry Workers

Below are the people who are eligible for the vaccine:

• Those undertaking bird culling or cleaning at confirmed avian influenza outbreak premises or handling live unwell birds.

• Workers employed at, or regularly visiting, statutorily registered poultry units and poultry processing units, who may also be at risk if they have direct exposure to bird faeces/litter such as through initial egg sorting or cleaning of premises; and
• People involved in collection of wild bird carcasses where avian influenza is suspected.

Eligible people can book online via the booking system, call the vaccination team on (01624) 822111 / 111.

For more information, you can click here.