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Who should get vaccinated
The Australian Immunisation Handbook strongly recommends vaccination for everyone ‘at risk’ of complications from the flu.
People at risk of complications from flu include:
- People older than 65 years of age.
- People with severe asthma, heart disease, diabetes, emphysema (COPD), kidney failure.
- Pregnant women.
Also, people who could potentially transmit flu to those ‘at risk’ patients listed above. This includes: - Healthcare workers.
- Emergency services workers.
- Workers in aged care and childcare facilities.
- Anyone who lives or works with ‘at risk’ people.
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Anyone who wants to avoid catching flu should ask their doctor if vaccination is right for them. Is the vaccine free for you? The vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Programme for people over 65. People who have one of the ‘at risk’ conditions listed previously are also eligible to receive the vaccine for free. Ask your doctor if you qualify for the Government funded vaccine. Australians not covered in the above groups will have to pay for the vaccine, however, flu vaccines are relatively inexpensive.
Get vaccinated every year
The flu virus is always changing and currently the influenza vaccines provide protection for about a year. To provide continuing protection, yearly vaccination with the most up to date vaccine is necessary.
THE MORE AUSTRALIANS WHO GET VACCINATED, THE FEWER PEOPLE THERE ARE TO PASS FLU ON TO OTHERS.
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