Fact Sheets
Are presently available influenza vaccines useful in for preventing an avian influenza pandemic?
Annual influenza vaccines are produced for routine use in protecting humans during seasonal epidemics of influenza against human strains of influenza. Our current understanding is that they offer no protection against infection with the H5N1 avian virus.
However, the current trivalent human vaccine may have a role in preventing a pandemic. Importantly, the vaccine can be used in a very targeted fashion with high risk groups. For example, when administered to high risk groups, such as poultry cullers, it can protect against circulating human strains and thus reduce the risk that humans at high risk of exposure to the avian virus might become infected with the human & avian viruses at the same time. Such dual infections give the human and avian viruses an opportunity to exchange DNA, possibly resulting in a new influenza virus subtype, with pandemic potential. We would place travellers to regions where avian viruses have been identified as belonging to high risk groups.
Secondly, vaccination with the current human influenza vaccine is also important for improving diagnosis of disease in the event of a new circulating strain. Vaccination with the human influenza vaccine at least allows a differential diagnosis to be made more easily, and will make it easier for doctors to know who and when to treat.
Lastly, it is estimated that in the event of a pandemic, around 25% of people will be affected by avian influenza. Organisations can expect additional significant absenteeism via employees who are symptomatic of an influenza type illness, or who have family members with an influenza type illness. Routine vaccination of all staff and their families can assist in minimising the absentee rate and help businesses continue to keep productive.
