The U.S. government is allocating $10 million to provide seasonal flu vaccinations for farmworkers, aiming to prevent potential co-infections with the H5N1 bird flu.

The CDC's initiative focuses on preventing farmworkers from being co-infected with seasonal flu strains and H5N1, which could lead to dangerous virus reassortment.

Of the $10 million, $2 million will be specifically for flu shots, while $3 million will support distribution efforts, including onsite vaccinations at farms.

Approximately 200,000 livestock workers are targeted for vaccination, but only about 25% typically receive seasonal flu shots.

Since the H5N1 outbreak began in late March, 13 farmworkers have contracted the virus, all with mild symptoms linked to direct animal contact.

Health officials are particularly concerned about the potential for simultaneous infections of bird flu and seasonal flu, which could lead to dangerous mutations.

Despite the ongoing bird flu outbreaks, the CDC maintains that the risk to the general public remains low.

The H5N1 bird flu virus has been spreading among various mammals globally since 2020, with recent detections in U.S. livestock and outbreaks affecting poultry flocks nationwide.

While a limited bird flu vaccine for humans is in production, it is not recommended for farmworkers due to the lack of significant person-to-person transmission.

Dr. Nirav Shah from the CDC emphasizes the importance of minimizing the risk of the bird flu virus mutating into a more contagious form.

The CDC is also considering providing Tamiflu, an antiviral medication, to some farmworkers as a preventive measure against flu.

The USDA has confirmed H5N1 infections in 172 herds across 13 states, but officials believe the outbreak can be contained with increased awareness and biosecurity measures.