Annual vaccination is the most important measure to prevent influenza and its complications and is recommended for everyone aged six months and over.

The Australian Government- Department of Health has some important facts about the flu vaccination.

Who is the vaccination for?

·        People 65 years and over

·        Pregnant women (at any stage during pregnancy)

·        Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged six months and over

·        Children 6 months to less than five years

·        People 6 months and over with certain medical conditions

Those who fit the above criteria are eligible for government-funded vaccines.

If you do not qualify for a free vaccine, you can buy the vaccine. Talk to local vaccination providers to find out how much it will cost.

Is the Influenza Vaccine Safe for Me?

 According to the Department of Health, Australian Government, the influenza vaccine has been around for many decades and has an excellent safety record.

 Common side effects

• mild pain,
• redness or swelling where the vaccine is given.
• 
  

How long do these side effects last?

• These side effects usually last a few days and go away without treatment.

While some effects may seem like influenza, none of the influenza vaccines available in Australia have live influenza viruses, so they cannot cause influenza.

People with egg allergy (including a history of anaphylaxis) can safely receive the NIP flu vaccines. If you have an egg allergy, please discuss this with your vaccination provider.

Serious side effects, such as a severe allergic reaction, are extremely rare.

About Influenza

Influenza is a common viral infection that affects people of all ages.

While it can be a mild disease for some, it can also cause serious illness in otherwise healthy people. It can lead to hospitalisation and can cause death.

Vaccination is the safest way to protect yourself and others from influenza.

When to get your influenza vaccine

It would be best to get vaccinated each year from mid-April onwards to be protected before the influenza season, usually June to September in most parts of Australia. However, it’s never too late to be vaccinated, as influenza can spread all year round.

If you had last season's flu vaccine late last year or early this year, you should still get the new season vaccine this year when it becomes available.

Influenza vaccines can be given on the same day as COVID-19 and most other vaccines. Note that we do not currently administer COVID vaccines at Plaza Central Medical and Aesthetics.

 Reference: information in this article has been adapted from the Australian Government, Department of Health