NPS clinical adviser Dr Philippa Binns says that the benefits of the flu vaccine are clear in terms of protecting individuals and communities.
“In Australia, it’s estimated that around 2000 people die and 10,000 people are hospitalised every year because of flu and its complications. Having the flu vaccine protects you, it protects at-risk people you may be in contact with, and it can reduce the chance of needing to use antibiotics to treat flu-related complications,” says Dr Binns.
“Healthy people can be struck down by severe influenza but for some people catching the flu can be very serious, and have a higher risk of complications. For these groups, vaccination is especially recommended and is free under the Australian Government’s National Immunisation Program.
“At risk groups include people with a long-term medical condition such as diabetes or severe asthma, over 65s and pregnant women. If you are in regular contact with someone in a high risk group, then you should also consider having the vaccine to help prevent you from passing the flu on to them.”
Dr Binns says it’s important to remember that if you do get the flu, antibiotics won’t help. This is because the flu is caused by a virus and will not respond to antibiotics.
“However for people in higher risk groups, influenza can result in complications such as pneumonia that do need antibiotic treatment. Vaccination is a simple way to avoid serious illness and related complications,” says Dr Binns.
Vaccines against strains of influenza likely to affect Australians in 2012 are now available and there are government recommendations about which specific vaccine to use for adults and young children.
Vaccination is recommended for anyone over 6 months of age seeking protection against flu, but it is highly recommended (and free) for people in particular groups at risk of serious complications from the flu.
This includes people with pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes, chronic lung and heart problems, pregnant women, people aged over 65, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged over 15 years.
For more information about who is eligible for free vaccination visit:
www.nps.org.au/medicines/vaccines_immunisation/vaccines_a-z/influenza_flu
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