Flu shots offered to populations at risk at the beginning of season

By Dr. Ananya Mandal, MDApr 12 2012

With the oncoming flu season people are flocking medical centers across Brisbane and Ipswich to get immunized.

All Care Inala Medical Centre doctor Michael Ho said flu shots were becoming more popular each year. “Flu seasons tends to begin in late March early April to June,” he said. “More and more people are opting to get vaccinations because they are promoted well within the community.” He added, “It is particularly important for elderly people to be immunized because their immune system is already not at its best…This is also the case for people who have chronic medical conditions like diabetes, severe asthma, or heart disease. With their current condition, if they catch the flu they can end up with a worse outcome.”

Dr Ho also advised carers or heath care workers to be immunized to protect the patients they look after. However he said vaccinations were not recommended for healthy children. “Their immune system should be strong enough to fight it - and they need to build up their immunity,” he said.

Hunter New England Health public health doctor Dr Deeksha Dhingra said May 1 marks the start of the influenza season each year, and provides an appropriate deadline date for influenza vaccination. “Consider observing the first of May each year as VDay, the day by which all at-risk community members should be vaccinated against the influenza virus,” Dr Dhingra said. “The coming winter months see an increase in influenza cases across our region. Receiving your immunization in March or April when the new vaccine for the year is first available is the very best strategy.”

Queensland Health statistics show more than 140 cases of influenza have been recorded since January - which is lower than the average number of notifications. But the State's Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said that was no reason to become complacent about guarding against the virus. “Influenza is a highly contagious and potentially serious disease that can be spread through coughing and sneezing,” Dr Young said. “As is the case every year, this year's vaccine is based on the virus strains circulating in the northern hemisphere including the influenza A H3N2 strain, influenza A H1N1 and an influenza B strain. This reliable and safe vaccine is available to prevent people getting the 'flu.”

“There are very few side effects of the vaccine and a sore arm for a day or two is usually all that can be expected,” she said. Dr Dhingra also highlighted the contagious nature of the influenza virus and encouraged the community to be mindful of the way it spreads. “The virus is spread from person to person through infectious droplets when an infected person coughs and sneezes. It can also be spread by touching the contaminated surfaces of doors, rails and other objects.”

Anyone over the age of six months who is not severely allergic to vaccine ingredients can be immunized. “Annual vaccination against influenza reduces the chances of catching the 'flu and the severity of it if you do contract it,” Dr Young said.

Health Department communicable disease control director Paul Armstrong said vaccination was the best protection against the disease. “Flu can be a very serious illness and is easily spread from person to person through coughing or on the hands,” Dr Armstrong said. “Yearly immunization is the safest and most effective way to minimize your risk of getting the flu and passing it on to family, friends and colleagues.”

The Australian Government’s Department of Health and Ageing, and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists both recommend influenza vaccination for pregnant women. “When given to pregnant women, the vaccine also provides immunity for newborns during the first six months of life, before they are able to be vaccinated,” Dr Armstrong said.

Queensland health offers free flu vaccinations for the elderly, pregnant women, indigenous people aged over 15 and those at risk due to medical conditions. Vaccination is available through GPs, Aboriginal medical services and other immunization providers.