"I have a vaccine joke. A lot of people won't get it"It’s something that many of us put off, but it’s time to start thinking about getting up-to-date with vaccinations.
In particular, we are being warned that influenza (flu) season will likely start early this year.
Ever had a particularly bad bout of the flu? One reason for this is that the influenza virus strains change every year and some are worse than others. Thankfully, the vaccine changes every year to match the new strains. That’s why it’s important for people to get the vaccine every year.
Bupa Health Services Medical Director Dr Tony MacDermott has said that historically low uptake of flu vaccinations could leave Australians vulnerable.
“The flu is more than a bad cold, it can be deadly, and we shouldn’t underestimate it – now is not the time for flu vaccine complacency.”
‘Tis the season (to stock up on tissues)
“The flu season has been arriving earlier in recent years and we expect it to peak sometime in June compared to August when the season peaked in years gone by”, Dr MacDermott said.
“We expect this year’s flu season to be as dangerous as last year, especially in combination with new COVID-19 strains that have hit Australia already”, he said.
“One of the easiest things you can do to protect yourself, your family and the community is to get a flu vaccine. This will also help take pressure off GPs and hospital emergency departments which are already under considerable pressure.”
Dr MacDermott encouraged people to get the flu vaccine before the end of May to help ensure they were covered throughout the flu season. There is a common belief that it is better to wait to get the flu vaccine to make sure it’s ‘up to date’. This is not a good idea for people over 65 or others who are particularly vulnerable to the virus.
What vaccines should you consider?
The National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule provides free routine vaccinations for adults. You may need booster doses of some vaccines to maintain high levels of protection. Most vaccines are more effective if delivered at a specific age.
Flu vaccine:
Infants under six months, adults aged 65 years and above, people with chronic health conditions, and the indigenous community are the most vulnerable groups to the flu. The flu vaccine is available for free for these at-risk groups.
Shingles (Herpes Zoster):
Last November, a new vaccine for shingles (Shingrix) was introduced to the National Immunisation Program (NIP). Shingrix is free for people over 65, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over 50, and people who are immunocompromised.
Two doses are required, given at least two months apart. Shingrix is also safe for more people than the previous vaccine, so if you were not previously eligible for a shingles vaccine you should check with your GP to see if this advice has changed. There have been issues with availability since its rollout, but CPSA has been assured by representatives from the Department of Health and Aged Care that this will continue to improve.
Whooping Cough (Pertussis):
Whooping cough is a serious disease that can lead to pneumonia, brain injury and sometimes death. It can affect people at any age but is especially serious for babies. Older people are also more likely to become very ill. Adults over 65 who have not had the whooping cough vaccine in the past 10 years should have a single booster dose.
Pneumococcal:
Pneumococcal is caused by a bacterial infection. This infection can cause milder symptoms such as sinusitis or ear infections. More serious complications include inflammation of the brain (meningitis), inflammation of the lungs (pneumonia) or a blood infection (septicaemia). People in high-risk groups are more likely to become seriously ill or die from pneumococcal disease.
Pneumococcal immunisation is recommended for babies, people aged 70 years and over, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over and those with a serious medical risk condition. Serious medical risk conditions include, but are not limited to, heart disease, kidney and lung disease, diabetes, no spleen or poorly functioning spleen and a weakened immune system.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) booster:
Advice for COVID-19 booster vaccinations for most adults aged between 18 and 74 is now once every 12 months. The previous advice of once every six months remains current for people aged 75-years-old and older.
Where to get advice
From 1 January 2024, a number of pharmacies have been funded to provide free vaccines. Speak with your GP or local pharmacy for more information.
Other measures to help protect you and others against illness includes hand washing, staying home if feeling unwell, covering your mouth and nose if you cough or sneeze , and wearing a mask in crowded places.
Other articles
New shingles vaccine offers better protection to more people
Research shows leafy greens can improve oral health
It’s something that many of us put off, but it’s time to start thinking about getting up-to-date with vaccinations.
In particular, we are being warned that influenza (flu) season will likely start early this year.
Ever had a particularly bad bout of the flu? One reason for this is that the influenza virus strains change every year and some are worse than others. Thankfully, the vaccine changes every year to match the new strains. That’s why it’s important for people to get the vaccine every year.
Bupa Health Services Medical Director Dr Tony MacDermott has said that historically low uptake of flu vaccinations could leave Australians vulnerable.
“The flu is more than a bad cold, it can be deadly, and we shouldn’t underestimate it – now is not the time for flu vaccine complacency.”
‘Tis the season (to stock up on tissues)
“The flu season has been arriving earlier in recent years and we expect it to peak sometime in June compared to August when the season peaked in years gone by”, Dr MacDermott said.
“We expect this year’s flu season to be as dangerous as last year, especially in combination with new COVID-19 strains that have hit Australia already”, he said.
“One of the easiest things you can do to protect yourself, your family and the community is to get a flu vaccine. This will also help take pressure off GPs and hospital emergency departments which are already under considerable pressure.”
Dr MacDermott encouraged people to get the flu vaccine before the end of May to help ensure they were covered throughout the flu season. There is a common belief that it is better to wait to get the flu vaccine to make sure it’s ‘up to date’. This is not a good idea for people over 65 or others who are particularly vulnerable to the virus.
What vaccines should you consider?
The National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule provides free routine vaccinations for adults. You may need booster doses of some vaccines to maintain high levels of protection. Most vaccines are more effective if delivered at a specific age.
Flu vaccine:
Infants under six months, adults aged 65 years and above, people with chronic health conditions, and the indigenous community are the most vulnerable groups to the flu. The flu vaccine is available for free for these at-risk groups.
Shingles (Herpes Zoster):
Last November, a new vaccine for shingles (Shingrix) was introduced to the National Immunisation Program (NIP). Shingrix is free for people over 65, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over 50, and people who are immunocompromised.
Two doses are required, given at least two months apart. Shingrix is also safe for more people than the previous vaccine, so if you were not previously eligible for a shingles vaccine you should check with your GP to see if this advice has changed. There have been issues with availability since its rollout, but CPSA has been assured by representatives from the Department of Health and Aged Care that this will continue to improve.
Whooping Cough (Pertussis):
Whooping cough is a serious disease that can lead to pneumonia, brain injury and sometimes death. It can affect people at any age but is especially serious for babies. Older people are also more likely to become very ill. Adults over 65 who have not had the whooping cough vaccine in the past 10 years should have a single booster dose.
Pneumococcal:
Pneumococcal is caused by a bacterial infection. This infection can cause milder symptoms such as sinusitis or ear infections. More serious complications include inflammation of the brain (meningitis), inflammation of the lungs (pneumonia) or a blood infection (septicaemia). People in high-risk groups are more likely to become seriously ill or die from pneumococcal disease.
Pneumococcal immunisation is recommended for babies, people aged 70 years and over, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over and those with a serious medical risk condition. Serious medical risk conditions include, but are not limited to, heart disease, kidney and lung disease, diabetes, no spleen or poorly functioning spleen and a weakened immune system.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) booster:
Advice for COVID-19 booster vaccinations for most adults aged between 18 and 74 is now once every 12 months. The previous advice of once every six months remains current for people aged 75-years-old and older.
Where to get advice
From 1 January 2024, a number of pharmacies have been funded to provide free vaccines. Speak with your GP or local pharmacy for more information.
Other measures to help protect you and others against illness includes hand washing, staying home if feeling unwell, covering your mouth and nose if you cough or sneeze , and wearing a mask in crowded places.
Other articles
New shingles vaccine offers better protection to more people
Research shows leafy greens can improve oral health
