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CDC Funds $5 Million Flu Shot Program for Farmworkers

The CDC announced a $5 million initiative to provide flu shots for farmworkers to prevent bird flu from becoming more widespread.

The voluntary program, which will be administered by state and local public health workers, aims to vaccinate 200,000 farmworkers against the seasonal flu. The CDC hopes that by doing so, it can prevent farmworkers from becoming infected with bird flu, which can be deadly to humans.

Bird flu has been circulating in the United States since early 2023, and it has already killed millions of chickens and turkeys. The virus has also infected a small number of humans, but there have been no deaths in the United States. However, the CDC is concerned that the virus could become more dangerous if it continues to spread.

The CDC's flu shot program is part of a larger effort to prevent bird flu from becoming a pandemic. The agency is also working to improve surveillance for the virus and to develop new vaccines and treatments.

The CDC's flu shot program is a welcome step in the fight against bird flu. By vaccinating farmworkers, the agency can help to prevent the virus from spreading and protect the public health.