2020 flu vaccines: the complete guide for the Mornington Peninsula
This is not our normal flu season. It’s never been more important to look after your health and in particular, to protect yourself and your family.
With the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, more people than ever are vulnerable in our society. Coronavirus and flu can both can lead to pneumonia and even death. At this crucial time, please consider how a flu vaccination will not only to protect yourself from this ‘dreaded duo’ but those others who find themselves vulnerable in our local community.
Our flu clinic will be open in our Main St, Mornington clinic in early April. Particular in these times, it’s essential to make an appointment to help us manage the clinic, minimise patient contact and make sure it’s not too busy for anyone to be seen.
For those eligible under the government National Immunisation Program, it’s free. For everyone else, the out-of-pocket cost is just $15.
WILL THE FLU SHOT PROTECT ME AGAINST CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)?
No, it will not.
However, flu can lower a person's immunity and make them susceptible to other illnesses, including coronavirus. If we don’t prevent the spread and severity of flu outbreak, this will leave others in our community more vulnerable.
WHEN SHOULD I GET MY FLU SHOT?
This year more than ever, getting your flu vaccine earlier than usual will prevent any additional burden on our health system.
Whilst in a usual year, the advice is to get your vaccine anytime from mid-April to May before your previous vaccine wears off, this year we are not facing a normal season.
"If people don't get vaccinated and an increasing number of flu patients and COVID-19 patients require urgent healthcare, lives will be put at risk," says President of Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Dr Nespolon.
It’ll take most people two to three weeks to develop their immunity. Make sure to practice good hygiene until you get your jab as you’ll be susceptible to infection during this period.
Our flu clinic opens on April 1st and runs on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. If you’re unsure about the best time for you given individual circumstances, please contact us or visit us at Main St, Mornington for advice.
HOW CAN I GET MY FLU VACCINATION WHILE ISOLATING AGAINST CORONAVIRUS?
The government count medical care as an essential reason for Australians to leave the house.
However, please make sure to book an appointment rather than just turning up to make sure your journey is not wasted in case we’re fully booked.
WHAT’S THE COST OF THE FLU SHOT?
It’s free for those eligible under the National Immunisation Programme, listed just below. For everyone else, the out of pocket cost is $15.
Who should get a flu VACCINATION?
As flu is highly contagious, anyone can get it. The Australian Government recommends everyone aged 6 months and over should be vaccinated against this preventable disease.
For certain people though, the potential complications of flu are extremely severe. Influenza can lead to pneumonia or can prove fatal in some cases. This risk is even greater this year with the potential of being simultaneously affected by COVID-19, which can also lead to cases of pneumonia.
That’s why the government allow anyone with these medical conditions to receive their flu jab for free:
Children aged 6 months to 5 years (new for 2020)
Older adults (65+)
Indigenous Australians (6 months+)
Pregnant women
Anyone aged 6 months+ with medical conditions that can lead to complications from influenza, such as:
COPD and other lung conditions
Diabetes (type 1 and type 2)
Impaired immunity such as HIV infection
Malignant cancers
Chronic neurological disorders
Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities are also at increased risk of severe complications from influenza
Our flu clinic opens on April 1st and runs on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Please call us to book in.
These people may not be eligible for a free vaccine under the government scheme, however they’re still at higher risk than others:
Those with long term medical conditions
Obese people
Smokers
Anyone with a weakened immune system
Women planning pregnancy
People who live or work in aged care homes or long-term facilities
Homeless people, and the people who care for them
Healthcare workers
People who live or work in the same household as someone who is at high risk of serious disease from the flu
People who work in early childhood education and care
People who work in the chicken or pig industries, if there is an outbreak of bird flu or swine flu
Those travelling overseas
IS IT SAFE TO GET A FLU SHOT WHILE PREGNANT?
Yes it is safe, and important to do so. Getting the flu can cause serious complications during pregnancy as each woman’s immune system, heart and lung function are all changing. It can also be problematic for the baby, potentially causing premature labour.
It’s also important for pregnant women to be immunised because they pass the antibodies on to their baby - babies less than 6 months old are too young to be vaccinated themselves. That means if you’ve had the flu vaccine and get pregnant afterwards, you should get the vaccine again to protect your baby.
The influenza vaccine:
protects women during pregnancy and in the early months of motherhood
protects young infants with transplacental antibodies
protects young infants with antibodies in breast milk
There is no live virus in a flu shot, so any mild flu symptoms after a vaccine are usually an immune response from the body without risk of catching the actual flu virus. However, if you have flu symptoms even after you’ve had your vaccine, you should immediately see your GP. They may want to prescribe an antiviral medication, which works best within 48 hours of infection.
WHAT’S DIFFERENT ABOUT THE FLU SHOT in 2020?
It’s important to update your vaccine each year, as the Influenza virus constantly changes and adapts. Your vaccine’s protection last year will have also diminished.
All vaccines available in Australia in 2020 are quadrivalent influenza vaccines (QIVs).
The virus strains included in the 2020 southern hemisphere influenza vaccines are:
A (H1N1): an A/Brisbane/02/2018 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
A (H3N2): an A/South Australia/34/2019 (H3N2)-like virus;
B: a B/Washington/02/2019-like (B/Victoria lineage) virus;
B: a B/Phuket/3073/2013-like (B/Yamagata lineage) virus.
New age-specific vaccines will be available under the NIP as outlined in this table.
What are the flu vaccine side effects?
The flu vaccine can cause the following side effects, most noticeable in children under 5:
drowsiness or tiredness
muscle aches
localised pain, redness and swelling at the injection site
occasionally, an injection-site lump (nodule) that may last many weeks but needs no treatment
low-grade temperature (fever).
If you’re worried about unexpected or persistent side effects following your vaccine, for you or a child, please arrange to visit our Main St, Mornington clinic for a doctors appointment as soon as possible, or visit the hospital. Although there is no ‘live virus’ in the vaccination that could cause you to contract influenza itself, seek medical advice if you are unwell as it could be caused by something different.
There’s a small risk of serious allergic reaction following any vaccine. Although this is rare, it’s why you’re advised to stay at the clinic for at least 15 minutes following immunisation in case further medical attention is required.
Cold vs. flu - what’s the difference?
Whilst they’re both respiratory diseases, the flu is generally more severe. Symptoms will come on much more abruptly. Influenza is also much more likely to lead to severe complications like pneumonia or bacterial infections than a cold.
What are the symptoms of flu?
It’s useful to learn these symptoms as they’re easier to treat early before they’ve had time to develop:
sudden appearance of a high fever (38 °C or more)
a dry cough
body aches (especially in the head, lower back and legs)
feeling extremely weak and tired (and not wanting to get out of bed).
Other symptoms can be:
chills
aching behind the eyes
loss of appetite
sore throat
runny or stuffy nose.
How long does flu last?
Most often for several weeks. However, it can also cause severe complications like pneumonia and bronchitis or cause existing medical conditions to worsen.
A typical bout of flu tends to follow a pattern:
Days 1–3: You’ll notice a sudden fever, headache, muscle pain and weakness, dry cough, sore throat and sometimes a stuffy nose.
Day 4: Your fever and muscle aches start to decrease. You’ll sound hoarse with a dry or sore throat, cough and possible sense of mild discomfort in your chest discomfort. You may feel tired or flat.
Day 8: Your symptoms decrease. A lingering cough and tiredness may last one to two weeks or more.
How do I treat the flu?
They often say the best form of treatment is prevention, so make sure to get your vaccination. Wash your hands regularly, especially before eating or drinking. Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow and stay at home if you notice any symptoms.
If you do have flu, get plenty of rest and drink lots and lots of fluids - particularly water. If you’ve got a sore throat, try and eat soft foods that won’t aggravate it.
If you don’t experience any complications, flu treatment doesn’t require prescription medication. In some cases, doctors might prescribe antiviral medication to reduce the severity and duration of your symptoms. Over-the-counter medication might also help relieve symptoms like headaches, muscle aches or fever, though they won’t impact the viral infection.
If you have any concerns about your symptoms though, it’s always safest to see your GP at our Main St, Mornington clinic. If you also have any of these symptoms, book an appointment with your doctor as soon as you can:
Trouble breathing
Chest pain
Sudden dizziness
A cough that isn’t improving
Confusion
Severe vomiting
Fever with a rash