Settlement Guide: 5 flu shot facts to know

the journal PLoS Medicine. See PA story HEALTH Flu. Photo credit should read: David Cheskin/PA Wire Source: AAP

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

Source: Dean Lewis

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).

Source: AAP

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

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

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  Source: AAP

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

More information on the flu vaccination program is available at Immunise Australia Program.

Source: AAP