The regular seasonal 2009 influenza (flu) vaccine is currently available and Territorians, especially those at greatest risk, are urged to get vaccinated now.
"There has been an increase in routine seasonal influenza notifications in the Northern Territory in the last three weeks," reports Dr Vicki Krause, Director, Centre for Disease Control, NT Department of Health and Families.
"It is definitely not too late to have a flu vaccine this year to protect yourself from routine seasonal flu," Dr Krause said.
"While it is unlikely that the current vaccine will offer any protection against H1N1 (Human Swine Flu), we are already seeing cases of routine seasonal flu and expect a significant number of people to develop influenza strains that are in the current vaccine."
Those most likely to have complications from influenza are non-Indigenous adults aged 65 years and older, Indigenous people aged 50 years and over, those with a chronic disease such as diabetes, heart, lung or kidney disease, and pregnant women.
"Influenza vaccine is strongly recommended for these groups and must be given every year. It is effective in preventing severe illness, hospitalisation and death from influenza," Dr Krause said. The flu vaccine is safe and effective and side effects are generally mild. It is not a live vaccine and so cannot cause influenza.
Those in close contact with people at high risk of influenza complications should also be vaccinated. These include health care workers, nursing home staff and household members of those in high-risk groups. Anyone else who would like to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill with influenza can also request vaccination from their doctor.
Department of Health and Families Head of Immunisation, Dr Rosalind Webby, said, "The Influenza vaccine is available free of charge for all non-Indigenous adults aged 65 years and over, all Indigenous adults 50 years and over and Indigenous people aged between 15 and 49 years who have a chronic illness.
"Strains of influenza virus change each year and so annual vaccination is needed," added Dr Webby.
For further information on the influenza vaccine please contact your General Practitioner or the Centre for Disease Control on 8922 8044.
For more information on H1N1 (Human Swine Flu), visit: www.health.nt.gov.au/H1N1_Influenza/index.aspx
Media contacts: Darrel Trueman, 0401 116 203; Cameron Jackson, 0401 116 144
Release date: Friday, 5 June 2009
