Get Prepared for Winter by Getting Your Annual Flu Vaccine

Getting your flu vaccination each year is the best way to protect against influenza and ensure members of your community are less affected by this virus. The flu is a virus that can range in severity and which typically kills hundreds of people every year, leaving many others hospitalised. Older people and people with disabilities and chronic health conditions are most likely to be affected, and these at risk groups are eligible for free vaccination through the National Immunisation Program. You can get a flu vaccination from your local pharmacy or GP, in preparation for the winter flu season. 

What is the flu?

The flu, or the influenza virus, is a virus that has been around for at least 1500 years. It is a relatively common condition that impacts communities around the world, usually during the winter season. 

The flu appears in different strains as the virus mutates. This is why the flu has existed for such a long time, and why many scientists believe the virus will never be completely eradicated. Some strains of the flu virus are more serious and lead to more hospitalisations and deaths than others. In developing vaccines, researchers attempt to predict the strain that will be most prevalent in society and protect people against it. 

Symptoms of the flu

For many people, the flu will appear similar to a common cold. However, the flu is a more serious condition and people should monitor their symptoms carefully.

Some of the common symptoms of flu include:

• runny nose 
• sneezing
• cough 
• sore throat
• fever and chills
• headache
• body aches.

You may not experience all of the above symptoms if you have the flu. Children can also experience vomiting and diarrhoea when sick with the flu. Typically, symptoms will appear one to three days after catching the virus and will last for a week. 

Cases of the flu can lead to serious disease and illness, which is why the condition needs to be taken seriously. If you have the flu, you are at higher risk of bronchitis, pneumonia, croup and ear infections. You can also suffer from heart and organ damage, brain inflammation, and brain damage. 

Sadly, people die from the flu every year in Australia. In 2019, 812 people died from the flu, during one of the worst seasons on record. Almost 4000 people were hospitalised. 

Preventing the spread of flu

The flu is usually highly infectious and spreads easily within communities. You can catch the flu from another person if they cough or sneeze and you breath in the particles, if you are in direct contact with fluid from an infected person’s cough or sneeze, or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.

The best way to prevent the spread of flu is to get vaccinated. And there are other measures you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones. Always cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Wash your hands often, especially after touching shared surfaces such as inside public transport or an office space. 

If you do have any symptoms of the flu, avoid attending work or other places where you may spread the infection. Keep children home from school or childcare when they have flu symptoms. 

In recent years, awareness of measures to prevent the spread of viruses has vastly improved due to the public health awareness campaigns associated with the COVID-19 virus. These, in conjunction with restrictions and lockdowns, have seen far smaller numbers of flu cases in 2020 and 2021 than would otherwise be expected. 

Diagnosis of the flu

Often people are not diagnosed with the flu using any tests. During flu season, many suffers will simply recognise their symptoms and take the time to rest and recover without seeing their doctor. If you do go to the doctor, they will typically conduct a physical exam and they may order tests to diagnose influenza. 

Treatment for the flu

Many people who suffer from the flu will get better without the need for any treatment. Cases normally last only a week. You can relieve symptoms by resting, keeping well hydrated, and taking pain medication to reduce discomfort and fever. 

If you are hospitalised with the flu, doctors may use a range of antiviral drugs to treat you. These drugs can include oseltamivir (Tamiflu), zanamivir (Relenza), peramivir (Rapivab) or baloxavir (Xofluza). These drugs can shorten the duration of the infection and prevent serious complications. Antibiotics cannot be used to treat the flu because it is a viral and not a bacterial condition. 

Why get a flu vaccination?

The best way to prevent the spread of flu and protect the most vulnerable members of our communities is to get the flu vaccine every season. The more people who are vaccinated against the flu, the smaller the number of opportunities for the virus to infect people and spread.

At risk groups for flu

The flu can affect anyone, but there are certain groups of people who are more susceptible to infection and are at higher risk of being hospitalised and dying from the flu. 

At risk groups include:

• older people (over 65 years)
• babies
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• pregnant women
• people with long-term medical conditions
• people who have weakened immune systems.

Lifestyle factors can also increase your likelihood of being affected by the flu, such as smoking or being overweight or obese.

Some of the medical conditions that can make you more at risk of serious complications caused by the flu include:

• heart disease
• lung disease
• nervous system conditions
• liver disease
• kidney disease
• diabetes
• blood diseases
• metabolic disorders
• down syndrome.

Who should get the flu vaccination?

Vaccination against influenza is recommended for people aged six months and over. Babies are unable to receive a flu vaccine. Health experts say you should receive the vaccine every year. This will be a new dose of the vaccine that specifically targets the strains of the virus most likely to be circulating in the community.

When to get the flu vaccination

New doses of the flu vaccine are usually available every April. It is recommended that you get the vaccine anytime from April onwards, in preparation for the peak of the flu season which usually occurs between June and September. The highest level of protection occurs in the first 3 to 4 months following vaccination.

Where to get the flu vaccination?

The influenza vaccine is part of the National Immunisation Program (NIP). All National Immunisation Program vaccines are available through GPs, community health centres, pharmacies, and elsewhere.

The NIP provides free vaccines to certain at-risk groups of people. The annual influenza vaccine is free through the NIP for adults aged 65 years and over, pregnant women, and people with certain medical conditions.

If you are not eligible for a free flu vaccine, you can still get vaccinated at your local pharmacy, GP or elsewhere. Normally, a flu vaccine costs between $12 and $30. Some workplaces will arrange vaccinations for their workforce, and a nurse will come into your office or workspace to provide the injection. 

If you are unsure of where to access a flu vaccination, speak to your local doctor. They will be able to provide the vaccine for you or advise the best place for you to get one.

Benefits of the flu vaccination for older people and disability communities

People 65 years and older and people living with a disability are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications, compared with young, healthy adults. As we age, our immune systems usually become more susceptible to viruses and disease, making older people more vulnerable to illness as a result of the flu. Additionally, people with a disability often have a range of factors that make them more likely to get sick from a virus and to suffer from problems. Of the people who die from influenza each year, the majority of them are older adults and people with a disability.

Due to this, getting a flu vaccine is especially beneficial for people in these communities. There are many reasons why the elderly and disabled should consider getting vaccinated.

Reduces hospitalisation

Unfortunately, going into hospital poses its own set of risks for older people and people living with a disability. Being out of a familiar environment can be frightening and disconcerting, especially for people with cognitive impairments. Although hospitals take infection control very seriously, it is possible that while in hospital you can be exposed to different viruses and bacteria from other patients. Additionally, hospital visiting hours can limit the amount of time that people get to spend with their regular carers and their loved ones. This can cause stress, which has a negative impact on the immune system and hampers recovery.

Reduces severity of illness

As discussed, many people may have the flu and experience only a mild reaction to the virus. People who are young and healthy will often have symptoms similar to a cold and are able to recover from the flu within a week, without the need for any medication or healthcare intervention. However, for older people and people with disabilities, this is less likely to be the case. These groups usually suffer more severely from the flu and will require extensive treatment and hospitalisation. They are also more likely to experience the other conditions and health issues that can be caused by the flu, such as pneumonia, organ damage, heart problems, and brain inflammation. All of these put them at greater risk of death as a result of the flu.

Preventative measure for those with chronic conditions

There are certain chronic conditions that put you at greater risk of a severe case of the flu or serious medical complications. For people with heart disease, flu vaccination has been associated with lower rates of cardiac events, particularly for people who recently suffered from a cardiac event. For people with chronic lung disease, flu vaccination can reduce the risk of conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which can often require hospitalisation. For people with diabetes, vaccination has also been shown to reduce hospitalisations and improve outcomes.

Homage’s Medical Escort Service

Getting vaccinated for the flu is undoubtedly important for all members of the community, but especially for older adults and people living with a disability. Although the flu vaccine is freely available to these groups via the National Immunisation Program, accessibility can still become an issue if a person has no way to travel to a place to get the vaccination, such as their GP clinic, pharmacy, or community health centre. 

Unfortunately, difficulty finding transport is one of the most common reasons why people miss medical appointments, fail to keep up to date with vaccines, or skip valuable screening programs for disease. 

Homage offer a medical escort transport service to ensure that all older people and people living with a disability can easily travel to their vaccination appointment. With the Homage service, a Care Pro picks the person up from their home and takes them to the appointment at a pre-determined time. These trained medical escorts are prepared to keep patients safe and comfortable throughout the process of getting vaccinated. They can assist with any issues that occur during the transportation time, such as the need for toileting and personal care. They have specially equipped vehicles that can accommodate wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility equipment. A Homage Care Pro ensures that getting vaccinated is a simple, easy process, so that the people who most need the flu vaccine can be protected this season.

All Australians should consider getting the flu vaccine this year. Although it often appears as a mild condition for healthy young people, getting vaccinated is the best way to protect your loved ones from more serious health conditions as a result of the virus. There are many benefits of getting vaccinated, especially for older people, people with disabilities, and other at-risk groups. You can book in for your flu vaccine now with your GP or elsewhere.