SEASONAL INFLUENZA VACCINATION PROGRAM
PART 1
Get vaccinated
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is caused by a virus which spreads easily from person to person through infected droplets in the air and by hands infected with the virus.
The virus infects your nose, throat and, sometimes, your lungs. In most people it causes mild to moderate symptoms for about a week, but some people can develop severe illness and complications which may need to be treated in hospital and can even result in death.
Flu complications include pneumonia and bronchitis. Flu can also make some underlying medical conditions worse.
Flu is a vaccine-preventable disease. Because the flu virus is constantly changing, it is necessary to get vaccinated every year. The flu vaccine protects against the three strains of the virus which are most likely to occur over the winter. Vaccination is recommended in autumn to give time for immunity can develop before the flu season starts. You cannot get flu from the vaccine.
PART 2
To prevent complications from flu it is recommended that people in the eligible groups outlined in this brochure get vaccinated each year.
65 years and over
People aged 65 years and over have the highest risk of complications associated with seasonal flu. Vaccination decreased hospitalisation and mortality rates by up to 50 per cent.
Indigenous people
Respiratory diseases are major causes of preventable sickness and death in Indigenous people. All Indigenous people are now eligible for the free flu vaccine from 15 years of age.
Pregnancy
Pregnant women are at higher risk of severe complications associated with the virus. The flu vaccine is safe for pregnant women, including in the first trimester. Vaccinating against flu during pregnancy also provides protection for the baby during the first vulnerable months of life.
People medically at risk
People with some existing medical conditions are at increased risk of complication from flu and may now be eligible for free seasonal flu vaccine. These include anyone who is over six months of age and has a condition such as:
•heart disease
•chronic respiratory conditions
•chronic illness requiring medical follow-up or hospitalisation in the past year
•diseases of the neuromuscular system
•impaired immunity, or
•aged six months to 10 years and on long-term aspirin therapy.
Influenza is a virus which is easily spread from person to person via infected droplets in the air and by with the virus.
It is necessary to against influenza because the virus is constantly changing.
The influenza virus can lead to medical complications such as , or can make existing medical conditions worse.
It is recommended that vaccination take place in autumn so that before the winter flu season starts.