If you didn’t already know, the 2020 influenza vaccine is now available.
In Australia, the flu shot is recommended for EVERYONE who is aged 6 MONTHS OR OLDER, unless you have a medical condition that prevents you from having it.
INFLUENZA is a very contagious infection of the airways and can be severe and fatal in some people, particularly those in high risk groups.
According to the World Health Organisation, influenza is a serious global health concern that impacts all countries. Worldwide, every year, there are an estimated 1 billion cases, 3-5 million severe cases and 290,000 to 650,000 influenza-related respiratory deaths.
In Australia in 2017, influenza caused more than 1,200 deaths (3.9 per 100,000 people).
Australia experienced its worst flu season on record in 2019 with a total of 313,085 people presenting to hospital and health services nationwide.
Based on the figures in the table below, early 2020 saw Australia heading towards another dreadful flu season. Since March, however, the number of confirmed influenza cases have dropped considerably to only 179 for the month of April (until 27 April), compared to 18,667 for the month of April last year.
This has somewhat eased the influenza burden on Australians and Australia's healthcare system. We do not know, however, whether the low influenza case numbers will continue throughout 2020, as 2019 saw the influenza season lasting well into October. Social distancing measures, other COVID-19 prevention measures and the high number of flu shots that have been administered since the 2020 vaccine became available in March, may have been responsible for the dramatic fall in confirmed influenza numbers between March to April.
In 2020, the flu shot has become even more important with the emergence of COVID-19. Both illnesses can present with similar symptoms including a fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pains and a cough. Both illnesses can also lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and can be life-threatening, resulting in death. If you become unwell with either the COVID-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2) or influenza virus, this can place you at greater risk of contracting the other. By having the flu shot you will help protect yourself and others from influenza and its potential complications, and you will also help to reduce the strain on our healthcare system.
WHO SHOULD HAVE A FLU SHOT?
Everyone over the age of 6 months should have a flu shot unless you have a medical condition that prevents you from having it.
The flu shot is particularly important for those at high risk of severe illness or at high risk of influenza-related complications. It is also particularly important for those at high risk of becoming infected with influenza or infecting others. These high-risk groups include:
All babies and children 6 months to <5 years old
People 6 months or older who have certain medical conditions that increase their risk of influenza (eg. cancer, diabetes, Down syndrome, heart disease, lung disease)
All adults aged 65 years or older
Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy
All Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months or older
People who are homeless
Health care workers, carers and household contacts of people in high-risk groups
Residents, staff, volunteers and visitors to aged care and long-term residential facilities
People who provide essential community services
People who are travelling during influenza season
Despite these recommendations, according to the Australian Immunisation Register, for the period of 1st March to 31st August 2019, among children aged 6 months to <5 years, only 40% of children had a flu shot.
The highest rates of influenza notifications and hospitalisations are seen in older adults and children <5 years of age. People in these ages groups in particular are therefore strongly encouraged to have a flu shot this year.
If you are in any of the high-risk groups listed above and you have not yet had your flu shot this year, make an appointment to speak to your doctor today.
ARE THERE ANY REASONS NOT TO HAVE THE FLU SHOT?
The only absolute reason not to have the flu shot is if you have had a previous severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to an influenza vaccine or any component of the influenza vaccine in the past.
If you have a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome or you are receiving cancer treatment, it is recommended that you speak to your doctor before having the flu shot.
There are two different types of Influenza vaccines for two different age groups. Which age group do you fall into?
1. AGE GROUP: 6 MONTHS – 64 YEARS OLD
This year’s flu shot for those aged
6 MONTHS TO 64 YEARS is a quadrivalent vaccine (contains the four viral strains relevant for this year). If your child is under 5 years of age, make sure that you receive the correct VACCINE BRAND for their age.
CHILDREN UNDER 9 YEARS OF AGE will need to have a SECOND DOSE if they are having the flu shot for the very first time. This second dose is to be administered no sooner than one month after their first dose. For future seasons, your child requires only a single dose to be administered each year.
2. AGE GROUP: 65 YEARS AND OVER
This year’s flu shot for those aged 65 YEARS AND OVER is called FLUAD QUAD. The difference between this vaccine and the vaccine for under 65 years is that the FLUAD QUAD has an extra ingredient called an adjuvant, which helps create a stronger immune response. This vaccine is not recommended for people under 65 years of age.
SIDE EFFECTS
Symptoms after a flu shot may mimic influenza infection but as the vaccine does not contain the live influenza virus, the flu shot itself cannot cause influenza.
Common side effects of the flu shot are:
redness or soreness over the injection site
mild flu-like symptoms such as a mild fever and body aches
PROTECTIVENESS
While protection is generally expected to last for the whole season, the best protection against influenza occurs within the first 3 to 4 months following vaccination.
Make an appointment to speak to your doctor about the flu shot and protect yourself from the flu today.
Dr Lufi and Dr Leah
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