Topic: Influenza and immunisation
Description
Influenza or "flu" is a highly contagious disease caused by infection from influenza type A or B virus. These viruses usually affect the upper airways and lungs but can also affect other parts of the body. In Australia, outbreaks of influenza of varying severity occur every year usually between May and September.
Practical Advice
Immunisation
The National Health and Medical Research Council recommends annual influenza vaccination for any person aged six months or older who wishes to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill with influenza.
Under the National Immunisation Program, influenza vaccine is funded for the following groups:
- All persons aged 65 years and over;
- All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 years and over;
- All pregnant women at any stage during pregnancy;
- Individuals at six months of age or older with conditions predisposing them to severe influenza:
- Cardiac disease including cyanotic congenital heart disease, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure;
- Chronic respiratory conditions including suppurative lung disease, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, cronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic emphysema, severe asthma (defined as requiring frequent hospital visits);
- Chronic neurological conditions including mutiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other neuromuscular disorders;
- Other chronic illnesses requiring regular medical follow up including diabetes mellitus, chronic metebolic diseases, chronic renal failure, haemoglobinopathies;
- Impaired immunity including HIV infection, malignancy and chronic steroid use;
- Children aged six months to 10 years on long term aspirin therapy.
Influenza vaccine is also strongly recommended (but not funded) for the following people.
- residents of nursing homes and residential care facilities who do not meet the criteria above;
- homeless people and those providing care to them;
- health care workers;
- anyone who works in a nursing home or long term care facility;
- anyone who lives in a household with a person who is in a high risk category;
- people providing essential services eg. police, ambulance;
- travellers.
People being immunised against influenza need to be vaccinated each year, as the vaccine changes each year to cover the expected disease strains.
The vaccine
Influenza vaccine contains killed influenza virus components, salt water, trace amounts of an antibiotic and a preservative.
The influenza vaccine should not be given to anyone who has had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of the vaccine or any part of the vaccine. Influenza vaccines are prepared in hen's eggs so should not be given to anyone with a known serious anaphylactic reaction to egg products. If you think you are allergic to eggs you should discuss influenza vaccination with your doctor.
Influenza vaccination for childrenThe Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has recommended the use of Influvac® and Vaxigrip® in children between 6 months to less than 10 years of age. Fluvax® is not registered for use in children less than 5 years in 2011 and should not be given in this age group.
Fluvax® may be used in children aged 5 years to less than 10 years of age when no alternative vaccine is readily available. If Fluvax® is administered, parents should be informed of the potential increased risk of fever but that febrile convulsions are rare in this age group.
The side effects that have caused concern are severe fevers and febrile convulsions. If your child has a fever, administer paracetamol and if you have any concerns please seek medical advice immediately.
Possible side effects of the vaccine
Like all medications, vaccines may have side effects. Most side effects are minor, last a short time and do not lead to any long-term problems.
The viruses in the vaccine are inactivated (killed) and cannot cause flu. Some people may experience mild flu-like symptoms for up to 48 hours as their immune system responds to the vaccine but this in not flu.
Possible side effects of the influenza vaccine may include swelling and soreness where the injection was given, fever, tiredness and aching muscles.
Contact your immunisation provider if you or your child has a reaction following vaccination which you consider serious or unexpected.
Pre-vaccination checklist
This checklist helps your doctor/nurse decide about vaccinating you or your child.
Please tell your doctor/nurse if the person about to be vaccinated:
- is unwell today;
- has a disease which lowers immunity (eg. leukaemia, cancer, HIV/AIDS) or is having treatment which lowers immunity (eg. oral steroid medicines such as cortisone and prednisone, radiotherapy, chemotherapy);
- has had a severe reaction following any vaccine;
- has any severe allergies (to anything);
- has had any vaccine in the past month;
- has had an injection of immunoglobulin, or received any blood products or a whole blood transfusion within the past year;
- is pregnant;
- has a past history of Guillain-Barre syndrome;
- was a preterm infant;
- has a chronic illness;
- has a bleeding disorder.
- identifies as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander;
- does not have a functioning spleen;
- is planning a pregnancy or anticipating parenthood;
- is a parent, grandparent or carer of a newborn;
- lives with someone who has a disease which lowers immunity (eg. leukaemia, cancer, HIV/AIDS), or lives with someone who is having treatment which lowers immunity (eg. oral steroid medicines such as cortisone and prednisone, radiotherapy, chemotherapy).
Although side effects are not common, you may find the following suggestions useful.
- For redness or swelling at the injection site, apply a cold compress.
- To lower temperature or relieve discomfort, paracetamol may be given.
- If fever persists, consult your doctor.
- If any reaction occurs that you consider serious or unexpected, seek medical advice.
- Contact the service provider if you or your child has a reaction following vaccination.
Where can I be immunised?
You can be immunised at your local doctor or medical centre. Some councils, community child health and community health centres hold free immunisation clinics. Check with them for details.
Other Resources
For further information please contact:
- your doctor
- your nearest public health unit
- 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84)
- Immunise Australia National Infoline: 1800 671 811
Flu Prevention (Queensland Health) website
Immunise Australia
A website about childhood immunisation produced by the Australian Department of Health and Ageing.
Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing
Information about communicable diseases including vaccine preventable diseases.
Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR)
A website about the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR), produced by Medicare Australia.
Heymann, D., ed. 2004. Control of Communicable Diseases Manual, 18th edition. Washington, DC: American Public Health Association.
Related Content
Communicable Diseases factsheet - Influenza
National Health and Medical Research Council, 2008. The Australian Immunisation Handbook (9th Ed).
Last updated: 9th May, 2011
Review Date: 6th April, 2012
