Settlement Guide: 5 flu shot facts to know

The national influenza vaccination program rolls out in April. Here's 5 facts to know.

Flu Shot

Source: David Cheskin-pa Wire

1. Each year in Australia the flu causes an average of 13,500 hospitalizations and over 3,000 deaths.

Signage around St Vincent's Hospital in Darlinghurst, Sydney, Tuesday, May 22, 2012. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins) NO ARCHIVING
Signage around St Vincent's Hospital in Darlinghurst, Sydney, Tuesday, May 22, 2012. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins) NO ARCHIVING

2. The flu shot is safe for all Australians, including pregnant women at all stages of their pregnancy.

The vaccine is tested before being approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
Flu Shot
Health care worker Sue King gives a flu vaccination injection Source: AAP

3. Each year the flu vaccine is changed to protect against recent flu strains.

A scientist works in a medical lab at St Vincent's Institute in Melbourne, Tuesday, May 14, 2013. (AAP Image/David Crosling) NO ARCHIVING
Science/medical lab generic stock images. Tuesday, May 14, 2013. (AAP Image/David Crosling) NO ARCHIVING Source: AAP

4. Flu shots are free for people at highest risk. These include:

  - people aged 65 years and over;
  - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months to 5 years and aged 15 years and over;
  - pregnant women; and
  - people with a listed chronic disease    

   
Flu Shot
Source: John Stillwell/PA Wire

5. The 2016 flu shot is available in April from GPs and other immunisation providers.

Health care workers receive the flu vaccination injection at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne
G Source: AAP
More information on the flu vaccination program is available at Immunise Australia Program.   


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By Preeti K McCarthy



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