The importance of including swine and poultry workers in influenza vaccination programs

Abstract

Sensing the threat of an influenza pandemic, many countries are developing influenza pandemic prevention and control strategies. Such plans often focus efforts on detecting outbreaks and protecting leaders, health-care workers, and outbreak responders. Considering recent research, we argue that prevention plans should also include swine and poultry workers. Ignoring these workers could result in an increased probability of generating novel viruses, as well as the acceleration of a pandemic's morbidity and mortality.