Influenza vaccination

Indigenous people 15 years of age and over

Q:  Who is eligible for FREE 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine?
A: 
- All Indigenous people 15 years of age and over.
- All Indigenous people over 6 months of age who have a medical condition linked to complications from influenza.

Q: What are the medical conditions that are linked with complications of influenza?
A:
- Heart problems including:

- Chronic lung/breathing problems including:

- Chronic illness requiring medical follow-up or hospitalisation in  the preceding year including:

- Chronic neurological problems including:

- People with lowered immunity including:

If you have a medical condition not listed above, ask your health care provider whether you are able to get the free seasonal influenza vaccine.

Q:  How long does protection from the vaccine last?
A:  The vaccine takes 2 weeks before protection is in place and will last for about 12 months. Low levels of protection may persist for another year after. For ongoing protection a new vaccine is required each year.

Q:  Does the 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine include protection against swine flu?
A:  Yes. The vaccine contains the 2009 Pandemic (H1N1) Influenza (swine flu) strain plus 2 other strains predicted to be the most commonly occurring this year. People who want to protect themselves against the 3 strains should get the 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine.

Q:  If a person was diagnosed with swine flu previously, do they still need the 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine?
A:  Yes. Having had swine flu offers protection against the swine flu strain but not the other strains of influenza. For protection against the other 2 strains the 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine is recommended.

Q:   If a person thought they had swine flu or was given Tamiflu® do they still need the 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine?
A:  Yes. Without a confirmed diagnosis of swine flu it can't be confirmed that a person had the disease and therefore is immune. People who received Tamiflu® should still receive the vaccine due to a possible low immune response to swine flu following administration of Tamiflu®.

Q:  If the Swine Flu virus changes, will people be protected if they have already been vaccinated?
A:  This is unknown and will depend on the change that occurs. Vaccination is still the best protection that can be provided. There may be some cross protection provided by vaccination. 

Additional information and resources

Pregnant women

Q:  Are influenza vaccines safe to be administered in pregnancy?
A:  Yes. The influenza vaccine is recommended throughout any stage of pregnancy. Pregnant women have an increased risk of complications because their immune system is naturally low during pregnancy, and their increase in size can make breathing more difficult. This is particularly relevant to women in their second and third trimester.

Q:  Who is eligible for FREE 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine?
A:   All pregnant women (in any trimester)

Q: What are the medical conditions that are linked with complications of influenza?
A: 
- Heart problems including:

- Chronic lung/breathing problems including:

- Chronic illness requiring medical follow-up or hospitalisation in  the preceding year including:

- Chronic neurological problems including:

 - People with lowered immunity including:

If you have a medical condition not listed above, ask your health care provider whether you are able to get the free seasonal influenza vaccine.

 Q:  How long does protection from the vaccine last?
A:  The vaccine takes 2 weeks before protection is in place and will last for about 12 months. Low levels of protection may persist for another year after. For ongoing protection a new vaccine is required each year.

Q:  Does the 2012 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine include protection against swine flu?
A:  Yes. The vaccine contains the 2009 pandemic (H1N1) influenza (swine flu) strain plus 2 other strains predicted to be the most commonly occurring this year. People who want to protect themselves against the 3 strains should get the 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine.

Q:  If a person was diagnosed with swine flu previously, do they still need the 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine?
A:  Yes. Having had the swine flu disease offers protection against the swine flu strain but not the other strains of influenza. For protection against the other 2 strains the 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine is recommended.

Q:   If a person thought they had swine flu or was given Tamiflu® do they still need the 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine?
A:  Yes. Without a confirmed diagnosis of swine flu it can't be confirmed that a person had the disease and therefore is immune. People who received Tamiflu® should still receive the vaccine due to a possible low immune response to swine flu following administration of Tamiflu®.

Q:  If the swine flu virus changes, will people be protected if they have already been vaccinated?
A:  This is unknown and will depend on the change that occurs. Vaccination is still the best protection that can be provided. There may be some cross protection provided by vaccination. 

Additional information and resources

65 years of age and over

Q:  Who is eligible for FREE 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine?
A:   All people 65 years of age and over

Q: What are the medical conditions that are linked with complications of influenza?
A:
- Heart problems including:

- Chronic lung/breathing problems including:

- Chronic illness requiring medical follow-up or hospitalisation in  the preceding year including:

- Chronic neurological problems including:

- People with lowered immunity including:

If you have a medical condition not listed above, ask your health care provider whether you are able to get the free Seasonal Influenza Vaccine.

Q:  How long does protection from the vaccine last?
A:  The vaccine takes 2 weeks before protection is in place and will last for about 12 months. Low levels of protection may persist for another year after.
For ongoing protection a new vaccine is required each year.

Q:  Does the 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine include protection against swine flu?
A:  Yes. The vaccine contains the 2009 pandemic (H1N1) influenza (swine flu) strain plus 2 other strains predicted to be the most commonly occurring this year. People who want to protect themselves against the 3 strains should get the 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine.

Q:  If a person was diagnosed with swine flu previously, do they still need the 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine?
A:  Yes. Having had the swine flu disease offers protection against the swine flu strain but not the other strains of influenza. For protection against the other 2 strains the 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine is recommended.

Q:  If a person thought they had swine flu or was given Tamiflu® do they still need the 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine?
A:  Yes. Without a confirmed diagnosis of swine flu it can't be confirmed that a person had the disease and therefore is immune. People who received Tamiflu® should still receive the vaccine due to a possible low immune response to swine flu following administration of Tamiflu®.

Q:  If the swine flu virus changes, will people be protected if they have already been vaccinated?
A:  This is unknown and will depend on the change that occurs. Vaccination is still the best protection that can be provided. There may be some cross protection provided by vaccination.

Additional information and resources

People at high risk

Q:  Who is eligible for FREE 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine?
A:
- All people 65 years of age and over
- All Indigenous people 15 years and older
- All pregnant women (in any trimester)
- All peopleover6 months of age with chronic medical conditions predisposing them to complications from influenza*.

*Note: For children aged between 6 months and 10 years Fluvax^® and Fluvax^® Junior should not be used.

Q:  What are the medical conditions that are linked with complications of influenza?
A:
- Heart problems including:

- Chronic lung/breathing problems including:

- Chronic illness requiring medical follow-up or hospitalisation in  the preceding year including:

- Chronic neurological problems including:

- People with lowered immunity including:

- Children over 6 months to 10 years who receive long term aspirin therapy*

*Immunise Australia provides further information about vaccination of children 6 months to 10 years.
 

If you have a medical condition not listed above, ask your health care provider whether you are able to get the free Seasonal Influenza Vaccine.

Q:  Should all children get the 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine?
A: Vaccination is the safest and most efficient way to protect against disease however it is not compulsory. To protect children against the flu they should be vaccinated.

Q:  Can all children get the 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine for free?
A:  No. The vaccine is FREE for children who have medical risk factors. All other children will need to see a GP who can prescribe and administer the vaccine.

Q:  How many doses of 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine do children need?
A:  It depends on their age and if they have previously been vaccinated against the flu. Your doctor or health worker will be able to advise if you need to return for further vaccinations.

Q:  If a person was diagnosed with swine flu previously, do they still need the 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine?
A:  Yes. Having had the swine flu disease offers protection against the swine flu strain but not the other strains of influenza. For protection against the other 2 strains the 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine is recommended.

Q:   If a person thought they had swine flu or was given Tamiflu® do they still need the 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine?
A:  Yes. Without a confirmed diagnosis of swine flu it can't be confirmed that a person had the disease and therefore is immune. People who received Tamiflu® should still receive the vaccine due to a possible low immune response to swine flu following administration of Tamiflu®.

Q:  Does the 2012 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine include protection against swine flu?
A:Yes. The vaccine contains the 2009 pandemic (H1N1) influenza (swine flu) strain plus 2 other strains predicted to be the most commonly occurring this year. People who want to protect themselves against the 3 strains should get the 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine.

Q:  How long does protection from the vaccine last?
A:  The vaccine takes 2 weeks before protection is in place and will last for about 12 months. Low levels of protection may persist for another year after. For ongoing protection a new vaccine is required each year.

Q:  If the swine flu virus changes, will people be protected if they have already been vaccinated?
A:  This is unknown and will depend on the change that occurs. Vaccination is still the best protection that can be provided. There may be some cross protection provided by vaccination.

Additional information and resources

Everyone

Q:  Does the 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine include protection against swine flu?
A:  Yes. The vaccine contains the 2009 pandemic (H1N1) influenza (swine flu) strain plus 2 other strains predicted to be the most commonly occurring this year. People who want to protect themselves against the 3 strains should get the 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine.

Q:  Why do some people have to pay for the 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine when the swine flu vaccine  (Panvax®) was provided free to everyoneover 6 months of age?
A: The H1N1 influenza pandemic was caused by a "new" virus that no-one - or a very limited aged population - had previous immunity to, either by recovery from the disease or protection by vaccination. The entire population was vulnerable to the disease and therefore were offered free vaccines.

There are some groups of people who are more at risk of complications of influenza than the general population. Influenza vaccine has always been recommended for these people however it was not always provided free to them. In 2010 the groups of people eligible to receive free seasonal influenza vaccine was expanded.

Q:  Who is eligible for the FREE 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine?
A:  
- All Indigenous people 15 years of age and older
- All pregnant women (in any trimester)
- All people 65 years of age and over
- All people over 6 months with chronic medical conditions that predispose them to complications from influenza*.

*Note: For children aged between 6 months and 10 years Fluvax^® and Fluvax^® Junior should not be used.

Q:  If people are not eligible for FREE 2012 seasonal influenza vaccinebut wish to be vaccinated how do they access the vaccine?
A:  People who wish to receive the 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine can purchase the vaccine following the issue of a prescription by a GP. The vaccine costs about $20 - $25. Some workplaces may offer the vaccine to their staff as an occupational health and safety initiative.

Q:  How long does protection from the vaccine last?
A:  The vaccine takes 2 weeks before protection is in place and will last for about 12 months. Low levels of protection may persist for another year after. For ongoing protection a new vaccine is required each year.

Q:  If a person was diagnosed with swine flu previously, do they still need the 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine?
A:  Yes. Having had swine flu offers protection against the swine flu strain but not the other strains of influenza. For protection against the other 2 strains the 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine is recommended.

Q:   If a person thought they had swine flu or was given Tamiflu® do they still need the 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine?
A:  Yes. Without a confirmed diagnosis of swine flu it can't be confirmed that a person had the disease and therefore is immune. People who received Tamiflu® should still receive the vaccine due to a possible low immune response to swine flu following administration of Tamiflu®.

Q:  If the swine flu virus changes, will people be protected if they have already been vaccinated?
A:  This is unknown and will depend on the change that occurs. Vaccination is still the best protection that can be provided. There may be some cross protection provided by vaccination.

Additional information and resources