Although it feels like winter may never arrive, it’s inevitable and so is the arrival of the flu season – and with it the risk of a severe outbreak.
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With last year’s flu season the largest since the 2009 pandemic year, Ochre Medical Centre Parkes is encouraging patients to be informed about the most clinically appropriate time to receive their flu shots.
The Australian Government is providing two new enhanced flu vaccines, in an effort to prevent a repeat of last year’s prolonged flu season.
The new and more potent vaccines are specifically made for the over 65 age group.
These flu vaccines are now available at your local GP clinic.
There are also new State-funded vaccination programs that provide free vaccinations for all children aged between six months and five years.
Dr Hamish Meldrum, GP Obstetrician and Director of Medical Services at Ochre Health, said as flu viruses continually change, the development of vaccines that effectively target the flu virus is a constant challenge.
“Last year was an especially bad year for the flu in Australia. It is predicted that the stronger vaccines, which are targeting the influenza A virus in the over 65 age group, will do a better job this year,” he said.
Dr Meldrum advises getting getting vaccinated in May.
“Flu vaccines provide the most protection in the first three to four months after they are received,” he said.
“Our peak flu season typically occurs between June and September.”
The vaccine program is offering the quadrivalent influenza vaccines (QIVs) which protects us against four strains of the flu.
The four QIVs for use this year will cover two A strains of influenza (h1N1/Michigan and H3N2/Singapore) and two B strains of influenza (Brisbane and Phuket).
This year’s new vaccines will be free for people aged 65 and over – this age group is the most in need of greater protection.
Additionally, pregnant women (at any stage), people with chronic diseases, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over 15 years are eligible for free vaccines.
Ochre Medical Centre Nurse Coordinator Caroline Kennedy said there is also a common misconception that you can get the flu from the vaccine.
“The flu vaccine is not a live vaccine, which means you can’t catch the flu from the shot,” she said.