Poultry workers get flu jab reminder

The primary care trust, NHS North Yorkshire and York, is making the seasonal flu vaccination free to those who work in close contact with poultry.

Dr Phil Kirby, associate director of public health at NHS North Yorkshire and York, said that working in close contact with poultry meant there was a slight risk of catching the virus that causes bird flu if an outbreak of bird flu were to occur.

He said: "If poultry workers are also infected with human flu at the same time, the bird and human flu viruses could mix in the body to make a new flu virus."This could potentially be very infectious.

The vaccine is being offered to poultry workers who work at poultry premises registered with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Mr Kirby said: "As poultry workers are considered 'at risk', we are making the seasonal flu vaccine freely available from GP practices.

"The flu vaccine will protect against ordinary human flu – reducing the risk of a new virus emerging. The vaccine will not protect against bird flu."