Do seasonal flu vaccines work against pandemic flu?
The vaccines for seasonal influenza are unlikely to provide any protection against a new pandemic flu virus. However, seasonal flu can be serious for some people, so it is important that anyone who is due to have a seasonal flu vaccine has one. As a precautionary measure, the NHS offers free seasonal influenza immunisation to those who work in close contact with poultry. A new pandemic flu virus could form if the bird flu and human flu viruses were to mix. Giving the flu jab to poultry workers will protect them from seasonal flu and may help to stop the viruses mixing. Click here for information about seasonal flu vaccines from the NHS.
