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Vaccinations against Avian Flu should happen now

A leading British influenza specialist says that people should be vaccinated now against bird flu now rather than waiting for a global pandemic to erupt.

The influenza researchers say the World Health Organisation (WHO) and national governments should give "urgent consideration" to the idea of priming people in advance of bird flu with a preparatory vaccination.

A vaccination now against bird flu would build up the immune system, while there is still plenty of time to organise the programme, then give them a booster shot when the pandemic is imminent. The primed people could be protected in a week as opposed to six weeks.

They say there may be no warning before a pandemic suddenly appears, as the early danger signs may be missed.

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