Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is caused by a highly contagious virus that is spread by contact with fluids from coughs and sneezes. Every year, the flu causes widespread illness in the community. Annual immunisation is recommended for older people and other people who are at risk of serious complications from the flu, such as pneumonia.
An influenza epidemic occurs when an outbreak of the illness is widespread in a certain community. A pandemic occurs when the illness is more geographically widespread and on more than one continent. Influenza epidemics occur, on average, every three years whereas pandemics have occurred only four times in the past 100 years.
Annual immunisation against the latest version of the flu is strongly recommended for people in at-risk groups such as older people, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with an underlying medical condition and those who work or live with people in at-risk groups. Serious side effects or allergic reactions to the vaccine are rare. If you are concerned about your reaction or your child’s reaction to any vaccine, see your doctor immediately. The team at Mount Isa Medical Centre are happy to help with any vaccination enquiry.
Immunisation against the flu
Immunisation of people who are at risk of complications from the flu is the most effective way to reduce the number of flu infections and deaths.
Influenza viruses change every year because the influenza virus has a unique ability to change its surface structure. This means that even if you had the flu or an immunisation one year, your body’s immune system might be unable to fight the changed version of the virus that is circulating the following year.
Each year, a new vaccine is developed (usually called the seasonal vaccine) and is available for those who wish to be immunised. Ideally immunisation should occur in autumn, before the onset of the flu season. Protection develops about two weeks after the injection and lasts for up to one year. Most cases of influenza occur within a six- to eight-week period during winter and spring.
A common misconception is that you can contract the flu from a vaccination. The influenza vaccine cannot give you a dose of flu because it does not contain live virus. Some people may still contract the flu because the vaccine may not always protect against all strains of the influenza virus circulating in the community.
Vaccination experts recommend the flu vaccine for everyone from six months of age. However, the vaccine is only free under the National Immunisation Program for people at high risk of complications, including:
- Pregnant women
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- People aged 65 years and over
- People with certain medical conditions.
Pregnant women
Pregnant women are at higher risk of severe complications associated with the flu. Vaccinating against flu at any stage during pregnancy also provides some protection for babies during their first, vulnerable months of life.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from six months to less than five years of age, and 15 years of age and over, are eligible for free flu vaccination.
People 65 years and over
People aged 65 years and over have the highest risk of complications associated with seasonal flu. This year People 65 years and over will get a high dose version of the Flu Vaccine – The Fluad or FluZone.
People with certain medical conditions
People with some existing medical conditions are more likely to experience complications from flu. Free flu vaccinations are available for people aged six months and over who have:
- Heart disease
- Severe asthma
- Chronic lung conditions
- A chronic illness that required a medical follow-up or hospitalisation in the past year
- Diseases of the nervous system
- Impaired immunity
- Diabetes
Children aged six months to 10 years who are on long-term aspirin therapy are also eligible.
Contact your doctor or immunisation provider for further information about eligibility. People not covered by these categories can also have an annual flu immunisation but it is not available for free.
People who work or live with people with certain medical conditions
Immunisation is also recommended (but is not necessarily free) for people who can put vulnerable people at risk of infection. People who work or live in close contact with people who have an underlying medical condition or impaired immunity should also be immunised to minimise the spread of the flu to themselves, the people they work or live with and their families. These people include:
- Public and private hospital staff who provide direct care to people
- Staff in long-term care facilities or nursing homes
- People who live with, or care for, someone who has a chronic illness or is aged over 65 years
- Carers of homeless people
- Workers, particularly those in workplaces that provide essential services
- People who work with children
- People involved in the commercial poultry and pig industry
- Workers in other high-risk industries
- Anyone visiting parts of the world where flu is circulating, especially if travelling in a group. Some workplaces run annual immunisation programs for staff.
Free Flu Shots for Children aged 6months to under 5 years
Children between the age of Six months and Five Years will be offered free Flu Shots this year
Pre-immunisation checklist for the flu vaccine
Before receiving the vaccine, make sure that you tell your doctor or nurse if you (or your child):
- Are unwell (have a temperature over 38.5 C)
- Have allergies to any other medications or substances
- Have had a serious reaction to any vaccine
- Have had a serious reaction to any component of the vaccine
- Have had a severe allergy to anything
- Have had a severe allergy reaction to eggs – the virus used in the vaccine is grown in eggs
- Have had Guillain-Barre acute syndrome
You should also tell your doctor or nurse if your child is under six months old.
Side effects of the flu vaccine
The flu vaccine can cause a range of side effects. In children under five years of age, these reactions may be more obvious. Common side effects of flu vaccine include:
- Drowsiness or tiredness
- Muscle aches
- Localised pain, redness and swelling at the injection site
- Occasionally, an injection-site lump (nodule) that may last many weeks but needs no treatment
- Low-grade temperature (fever)
Managing fever after immunisation
Common side effects following immunisation are usually mild and temporary (occurring in the first few days after vaccination). Specific treatment is not usually required. There are a number of treatment options that can reduce the side effects of the vaccine including:
- Drinking extra fluids and not overdressing, if there is a fever
- Although routine use of paracetamol after vaccination is not recommended, if fever is present, paracetamol can be given – check the label for the correct dose or speak with your pharmacist (especially when giving paracetamol to children)
The Mount Isa Medical Centre team are available to perform any vaccinations you require and can answer any questions you may have. Book an appointment with one of our doctors here. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call us on (07) 4743 3033 during business hours or contact us here.
