16/04/2019
We have flu vaccinations in stock in all but the over 65 age range for which there is a nation wide shortage at the moment. If you would like a flu shot, call 93711100 and make an appointment to get it done.
Here is some info on flu:
Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious viral infection that spreads easily from person to person through coughing, sneezing and close contact.
Unlike a cold, symptoms such as fever, sore throat and muscle aches develop suddenly with flu and last about a week. In some cases, severe illness and complications such as pneumonia and bronchitis can develop, which can result in hospitalisation and even death. The flu can also make some existing medical conditions worse.
The flu virus can be especially dangerous for elderly people, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and very young children, as well as for people with underlying medical conditions.
Annual vaccination is the best way of preventing the flu and any associated illness.
You should get the flu shot every year because the flu virus is constantly changing. Every year, the flu vaccine changes too, so it protects against the flu strains which are most likely to be around during that winter.
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.
• It is free for all children under the age of 5 years
• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons aged ≥15 years
• All persons aged ≥65 years
• All persons aged ≥6 months who have certain medical conditions which increase the risk of influenza disease complications; for example, severe asthma, lung or heart disease, low immunity or diabetes (refer to Table 3).
• Pregnant women (during any stage of pregnancy).