Don’t get caught out by the flu this winter
Ballina Shire residents have been urged to take advantage of the Federal Government’s extension of the eligibility for free seasonal flu vaccine to cover those most at risk of complications from the flu.
The flu vaccine remains free for those aged 65 years.
It has been extended to cover Indigenous Australians and Torres Strait Islanders aged 15 to 64 years; Australians aged six months to 64 years who are at risk of severe outcomes from seasonal influenza, such as those with chronic conditions, including cardiac disease, chronic respiratory conditions, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, renal failure and impaired immunity; and pregnant women.
Pregnant women are at high risk of serious complications following an infection with influenza, particularly the pandemic H1N1 influenza strain (swine flu). In 2009, 279 pregnant women were hospitalised in Australia due to pandemic influenza. Some pregnant women had severe complications and died or miscarried.
This year’s seasonal flu vaccine includes the H1N1 strain plus two other strains. Seasonal flu vaccine is recommended to those that have already had H1N1. It will act as a booster plus provide protection against the two other flu strains.
A second wave of H1N1 influenza is expected this winter. It is highly recommended to have either the seasonal flu vaccination or the H1N1 vaccine that is free for everyone over six months of age.
The Northern Rivers General Practice Network’s GP Executive Manager, Dr Dan Ewald, explained the need to take up the vaccination.
“It is important for people to understand that the H1N1 (swine flu), though not responsible for a particularly different death rate to seasonal flu, does tend to strike well young people who normally would not be greatly troubled by seasonal flu,” he said.
Dr Ewald also pointed out that seasonal flu was responsible for a great many deaths each year in Australia and was not a trivial problem.
