H5N1 Bird Flu Strain Now in Turkey

I'm surprised at the number of people who think this year's flu shot will protect them from the more virulent strain making headlines as a probable agent for the bird flu pandemic.

As of October 13, 2005, 7:25 am EDT, no vaccine exists that will protect against the reported bird flu. It will take several months to develop an effective vaccine - which can begin only after the virus rears its ugly RNA.

So why is a UK news outlet reporting:

European health chiefs say everyone should be given a flu vaccine to prevent a possible bird flu pandemic.

EU Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou said he advised "the increase of vaccination among the risk population for the seasonal flu". He said this was part of their plan to deal with a potential or possible pandemic.

Oh, no, CNN is reporting it too. Maybe Mr. Kyprianou is just calling for a mass vaccination right now as a dry run. Seems like a costly way to test your bird flu preparedness plan to me.