NSW Health has begun the distribution of the influenza vaccine to GPs, Aboriginal Medical Services, pharmacies and NSW Health facilities ahead of what is expected to be a busy flu season, as borders re-open and COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease.
The RACGP and the Consumer Health Forum are urging people to get their flu vaccination – and get their vaccination early – warning we could have a potentially ‘monster’ flu season ahead. Some Northern Hemisphere countries have seen a concurrent surge of flu and COVID-19 activity.
Annual vaccination should ideally occur before the onset of each influenza season, which usually occurs from June to September. While protection is generally expected to last throughout the year, the highest level of protection occurs in the first three to four months after vaccination.
The annual flu vaccine is recommended for everyone aged six months or older.
It’s free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for children aged six months to five years and adults 65 years and over, as well as pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people with certain medical conditions.
Please remind your patients: the flu vaccine does not provide protection against COVID-19 and the COVID-19 vaccine does not provide protection against the flu. They need to have both vaccines, which can now be given on the same day.
If your patients have questions about flu vaccination, please direct them to the FAQs page on the healthdirect website.
To access resources for general practice, visit:
- Seasonal influenza vaccination 2022 (NSW Health)
- Influenza resources for health professionals (NSW Health)
- ATAGI advice on seasonal influenza vaccines in 2022 (Department of Health)
- Getting vaccinated against influenza – posters, factsheets, brochures, guidelines (Department of Health)