Public health services in southeast Minnesota urge farms to take advantage of free seasonal flu shots
AUSTIN, Minn. — Dairy and poultry farmers in three southeast Minnesota counties can get free seasonal flu shots on their farm thanks to a new public health initiative to remove vaccination barriers.
The initiative is made possible through a $5 million plan announced this summer by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide seasonal flu shots this fall to about 200,000 livestock workers in states impacted the most by the bird flu outbreak.
Poultry and dairy farmers are at the greatest risk of being simultaneously exposed to seasonal flu and H5N1. In its Nov. 1 update on confirmed human cases of H5N1 so far this year, the CDC listed 41 cases in six states.
Last month, Mower County's Health & Human Services mailed information to area dairy and poultry farm workers about its flu shot efforts with Fairview's Minnesota Immunization Networking Initiative.
"Reducing barriers for people who want the vaccine is what this is all about," said Pam Kellogg, public health manager for Mower County's Health and Human Services.
Farms with too many employees to transport, or are unable to step away from production schedules, can work with the county's community health team to bring the vaccination service to them.
Darr Ehmke, registered nurse with Mower County Health and Human Services, said no farms have yet to take up the offer. But as we enter the flu season, he said there's still plenty of time to take advantage of the opportunity.
"We'd like to have them out before the end of the month," Ehmke said on Nov. 5. "But we really don't have a strict timeline at this point."
Two good reasons for farm operators to offer the vaccinations to employees is that it's free, and it protects themselves and their operations, Ehmke said. Another good reason is what's driving the federal investment to vaccinate livestock workers, over concerns with the high severity of the H5N1 avian influenza virus.
"H5N1 has been found in dairy and poultry farms, not specifically in Mower County, but there's a risk out there, so we want to reduce the risk of that," Ehmke said. "And then also, people need to work, so we want to keep people working."
Ehmke made it clear that the seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against H5N1. But, he said, for someone who catches the seasonal flu and then happens to get H5N1, the result could be dangerous for them and the community.
According to the CDC, a concerning scenario could arise if a new influenza virus emerges through "reassortment," which is when viruses swap genetic material when infecting the same cell, potentially creating a new and more serious virus with characteristics from both parent viruses. Combining the easy transmission of a typical seasonal flu with H5N1's high severity potentially could lead to a "major public health crisis," according to the CDC.
Farm operators who may be concerned about the privacy of their employees during a free flu vaccination clinic on their farm shouldn't be, Ehmke said.
"Workers just have to sign consent," he said. "We don't collect any information from them. We just ask that they sign consent to get their vaccination, and that's all."
For farm owners who may have other concerns, Ehmke said they should reach out directly even if they aren't interested in getting the vaccination for their employees.
"I would just encourage if they are curious, or if they can give us any feedback, we would appreciate it," Ehmke said. "We just want people to have access to the vaccination, and we know that farmers are busy. It's hard enough to get people to come in and get vaccinated."
Those interested should contact Ehmke or Allison Scott of Mower County Health and Human Services via email at and or call 507-437-9700.
Free flu vaccinations for livestock farmers are also being offered in Steele County and Wabasha County. Reach out to respective departments to find out more information: Wabasha County — 651-565-5200, and Steele County — 507-444-7650.
