As we reach mid to late March this year (already!) thought turns to the seasonal influenza vaccination.
Our recommendation is to come in to Creek Road General Practice for your flu vaccination between mid-April to mid-May to give you the best cover over the expected peak flu season.
Updates from ATAGI
This year there have been a few updates from ATAGI (AUSTRALIAN TECHNICAL ADVISORY GROUP ON IMMUNISATION) which we summarise below:
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been reduced circulation of influenza virus and lower levels of influenza vaccine coverage compared with previous years. With borders reopening, a resurgence of influenza is expected in 2022.
- All COVID-19 vaccines can be co-administered (given on the same day) with an influenza vaccine.
- For adults aged ≥65 years, the adjuvanted influenza vaccine, Fluad® Quad, is preferentially recommended over standard influenza vaccine.
- Timing of vaccination – vaccination should ideally occur before the onset of each influenza season. The period of peak influenza circulation is typically June to September in Queensland. And while protection is generally expected to last throughout the year, the highest level of protection occurs in the first 3 to 4 months after vaccination. Given this, and the fact that it does take a couple of weeks to achieve full immunity post immunisation, mid-April to mid-May is our recommended time to receive your flu vaccination.
Eligibility for influenza vaccines funded by the National Immunisation Program (No cost for the vaccine)
- Annual influenza vaccination is recommended and funded for all children aged 6 months to <5 years, and all adults aged ≥65 years.
- Annual influenza vaccination is also recommended for all people aged 5 to <65 years of age, but only funded in the following specific populations in this age group due to their increased risk of complications from influenza:
– all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
– people who have certain medical conditions (see Table below)
– pregnant women (during any stage of pregnancy).
If you are not the in above group, we have plenty of stock of private flu vaccinations for $20.
If you would like to see the full recommendations from ATAGI, they are available here.