Friday 12th March 2010
The 2010 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine is now available.
At the start of each year's influenza (flu) season a vaccine tailored to that year's main flu strains is produced for the protection of people over the age of 6 months.
This year's vaccine will help protect Territorians against three types of influenza (flu), including the H1N1 strain ("Swine Flu"), which is predicted to be the most commonly occurring strain in Australia this year.
Department of Health and Families Head of Immunisations Dr Andre Wattiaux is urging all members of the public to get the vaccine.
"Strains of influenza virus change each year so annual vaccination is needed."
"Getting vaccinated helps protect individuals from getting sick and to stop the flu from spreading in the community"
"It is a very safe vaccine and because it is a killed vaccine it is impossible to get influenza from it"
The Seasonal Influenza Vaccine is FREE for:
· Anyone over the age of 65 years
· All Indigenous people over the age of 15 years
· All pregnant women (in any trimester)
· Anyone over six months of age with medical conditions that increase the risk of complications from severe influenza.
All members of the public are encouraged to get vaccinated at either community care centres, remote health clinics or general practitioners in the Northern Territory.
The Panvax vaccine, which only protects against Swine Flu, is still available free of charge for all members of the public.
