Japan is vaccinating thousands of officials against bird flu, making it the first country in the world to take the move.
The vaccinations could be extended to millions of Japanese citizens, but the initial plan is to inoculate 6,000 workers over the next few months.
Despite there being no deaths caused by bird flu in Japan to date, it is feared that an outbreak in Asia could spread to the densely populated areas of Japan.
Japan is taking moves to prepare for a possible pandemic, which health authorities fear could result if the current strain of the virus mutates into a form making it more dangerous to humans.
Country officials have already made 20 million doses of a “pre-pandemic” bird flu vaccine.
The deadly H5N1 strain was collected in Indonesia and Vietnam to make the pre-pandemic vaccine.
Japanese Health Minister Yoichi Masuzoe made the proposal for vaccination last Tuesday, and a government-appointed panel of experts backed it on Wednesday.
Initial plans are to vaccinate 6,400 doc-tors, quarantine inspectors, immigration officials and other health workers.
The government will expand the programme to others, if successful.
“If we obtain good results over its effectiveness and safety, we want to consider vaccinating [an additional] 10 million people who are in medical occupations” or other key jobs such as at utilities, Mr Masuzoe told reporters.
The move shows that Japan is taking bird flu precaution levels higher than anywhere in the world.
The World Health Organisation is not convinced that it will improve the chances of Japan weathering a major bird flu outbreak.
WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl said: “Obviously, the Japanese think there’s some benefit to be had from this, and we are not going to prevent an individual country from using their resources.”
