Flu Vaccinations

Now is the Time To Get Your Flu Shot

Following a particularly bad flu season last year, patients are advised to have their flu vaccines as early as possible this season.

Flu immunity is not sustained and re-vaccination is required each year.

Flu shots are $20

FLU shots are only free FOR ELIGIBLE PATIENTS WHO QUALIFY ACCORDING TO WEST AUSTRALIAN GUIDELINES

This year’s vaccine will be the 4 strain (quadrivalent) vaccine and Butler Village Medical Centre is offering it for $20, unless you qualify for government vaccination.

No prior prescription is required, so arrange for a visit before the time when flu usually peaks in Australia, around June or July.

Make an appointment HERE

What is Influenza?

Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious viral infection that spreads easily

Influenza is caused by three different types of influenza viruses: influenza A, B and C. influenza A and B cause major outbreaks and severe disease.

Symptoms of Influenza

Symptoms may occur 1 to 3 days after infection, and generally seem like the ‘common cold’.

Unlike a common cold, patient suffering from influenza quickly develop symptoms including:

Tiredness
Fever & Chills
Cough and a Sore throat
Sneezing & Runny Nose
Poor Appetite
Muscle Aches
Headache

These symptoms can last about a week.

If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms this flu season, please see your doctor.

Serious Complications Caused By Influenza

The flu can make some existing medical conditions worse. In some cases, severe illness and complications can develop such as

Pneumonia and
Bronchitis, and
Heart, blood system and liver complications

And can result in hospitalisation and even death.

How is the Flu Spread?

The Influenza virus is transmitted from person to person through:

the air by close contact typically coughing or sneezing, or
by direct contact with the virus on surfaces or people's hands.

Why Should I Get An Annual Flu Shot?

People require an annual Flu Shot because

The flu virus is constantly changing and every year a new vaccine is developed to match the most common flu virus strain. This fluvax version is designed to protect people against the strain most likely to be around during that winter.
Peoples immune protection from the influenza vaccination declines over time and annual vaccination is recommended.

Who Should Get the Vaccine?

The flu virus can be especially dangerous for

Elderly people,
Pregnant women,
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Very young children, and
People with underlying medical conditions.

What does the Vaccination Protect You From

Australian 2018 influenza season vaccines includes A, B influenza vaccines. This is a Quadrivalent Vaccine. This means it protects against 4 strains of flu, as compared to Trivalent Vaccine types which protect against 3 strains.

The vaccine is advised by the World Health Organisation based on circulating vaccine types is designed to vaccinate against Influenza Virus type:

A (H1N1): an A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1)pdm09 like virus
A (H3N2): an A/Singapore/INFIMH-16-0019/2016 (H3N2) like virus
B: a B/Phuket/3073/2013 like virus
B: a B/Brisbane/60/2008 like virus

This will be the first time that the Trivalent Vaccine will not be available in Australian. The media has also referred to them as “turbo vaccines” or “supercharged vaccines”.

Can You Get Influenza from a Flu Vaccine?

There is no live virus in the flu shot, so you cannot get the flu from the vaccine.

After vaccination, the person will develop antibody levels that are likely to protect them against the strains of virus represented in the vaccine.

How Long Does A Flu Vax Appointment Take?

During your appointment, a clinic member or doctor will administer a flu vaccination.

Please arrive 5 minutes prior to your appointment. You will be asked:

some questions about your existing health
any previous reactions you may have had, and
to complete a consent form

The injection only takes a few minutes, but be aware you will need to remain in the practice for a further 15 minutes for observation in the unlikely event of an adverse reaction.

Is Fluvax Safe When Pregnant?

Yes. The flu vaccine can be safely given during any stage of pregnancy.

Pregnant women are at the increased risk of complications from the flu so immunising against flu during pregnancy can not only protect women but help provide ongoing protection to a newborn baby for the first six months after birth.

Should Children Get Fluvax?

Children can begin to be immunised against the flu from six months of age.

Children aged 6 months to under 9 years of age require two doses, at least four weeks apart in the first year they receive the vaccine.

While two doses in the first year are recommended, one dose does provide some protection and is preferable to receiving no doses.

One dose of influenza vaccine is required in subsequent years. A single dose of influenza vaccine is given to all children aged nine years and over.