Questions and answers for influenza (flu) vaccination
What is influenza?
Can I receive free flu vaccine under the National Immunisation Program?
I received a flu shot last year, do I still need to get one this year?
I received the swine flu vaccine last year, do I need to get a flu shot this year?
My child has a medical condition. Should they get the flu vaccine?
What age can children be vaccinated against flu?
Is it safe for my child to be vaccinated for flu?
I heard there were problems with the flu vaccine for children in 2010, how do I know it is safe this year?
Is it safe for me to get the flu shot if I am pregnant?
Is it safe for me, as an adult, to get the flu shot?
What are the possible side effects from the flu shot?
How long after the flu shot can these reactions occur?
If I get a side effect after flu vaccine, where can I report it?
What is influenza?
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is caused by a virus which spreads easily from person to person through infected droplets in the air and by hands carrying the virus.The flu virus infects your nose, throat and sometimes your lungs. It differs from a cold as symptoms such as fever, sore throat and muscle aches develop suddenly and last about a week. In some cases severe illness and complications such as pneumonia and bronchitis can develop resulting in hospitalisation and/or death.
Flu can also make some underlying medical conditions worse. Because the flu virus is constantly changing, it is necessary to get vaccinated every year.
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Can I receive free flu vaccine under the National Immunisation Program?
The flu vaccine is recommended for anyone from 6 months of age who wishes to be protected against influenza. Free flu vaccine is available for the following people, who are at high risk of severe flu or complications from flu:- People aged 65 years and over
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from 15 years of age
- Pregnant women
- People over 6 months of age with one or more of the following conditions:
- heart disease;
- severe asthma
- chronic lung condition;
- chronic illness requiring medical follow-up or hospitalisation in the past year;
- diseases of the nervous system;
- impaired immunity; or
- diabetes
- Children aged 6 months to 10 years who are on long-term aspirin therapy
I received a flu shot last year, do I still need to get one this year?
Yes. Immunity decreases over time and vaccination is needed each year to ensure you continue to be protected. Vaccination is recommended in autumn to allow time for immunity to be strengthened before the flu season starts.Each year, the flu vaccine will protect against the three strains of flu virus which are most likely to circulate over the winter period. The 2011 seasonal flu vaccine protects against the same strains as the 2010 vaccine as they remain the most likely to occur here this winter. While the vaccine is the same, it is important to get it again this year.
Even if you received a flu vaccination towards the end of the last flu season, you should still be vaccinated again before this flu season.
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I received the swine flu vaccine last year, do I need to get a flu shot this year?
Yes. Immunity provided by the swine flu vaccine will have decreased over time and vaccination is needed again this year to ensure continued protection. The 2011 seasonal flu vaccine protects against three strains of flu, including the swine flu.Top of Page
My child has a medical condition. Should they get the flu vaccine?
If your child has a chronic medical condition, he or she is at increased risk of severe flu or complications from flu. Talk to your doctor or immunisation provider about getting the vaccine. Flu vaccine is free for children with any of the following chronic medical conditions:- Cardiac disease, including cyanotic congenital heart disease, coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure
- Chronic respiratory conditions, including suppurative lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and severe asthma
- Other chronic illnesses requiring regular medical follow up or hospitalisation in the previous year, including diabetes mellitus, chronic metabolic diseases, chronic renal failure, and haemoglobinopathies
- Chronic neurological conditions that impact on respiratory function, including multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, and seizure disorders
- Impaired immunity, including HIV, malignancy and chronic steroid use
- Children aged 6 months to 10 years on long term aspirin therapy.
What age can children be vaccinated against flu?
Children can be vaccinated from the age of 6 months. For full protection, it is recommended that children aged between 6 months and 10 years receive two doses, a month apart, in their first year of vaccination. After this, only one dose is needed each year.Top of Page
Is it safe for my child to be vaccinated for flu?
Yes. Flu vaccines are safe and have been used in children around the world and in Australia for many years. However, no pharmacologic agent, including vaccines, can be considered 100% safe. All vaccines currently available in Australia must pass stringent safety testing before being approved for use by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).In 2010, increased rates of high fever and febrile convulsions in children under five years of age were found with one brand of vaccine, Fluvax. This vaccine is not being used for children under 5 years of age in Australia in 2011.
Two other vaccine brands, Influvac and Vaxigrip, are available and recommended for use in children as they are not associated with increased side effects.
Increased rates of fever have also been seen with Fluvax in children between 5 years and less than 10 years. Although febrile convulsions are rare in this age group, it is recommended that Influvac or Vaxigrip be used in preference to Fluvax in this age group.
Common side effects following seasonal flu vaccination include soreness, pain and swelling at the injection site, fever, vomiting and malaise. These side effects are usually mild and resolve quickly without any treatment. If an infant or child develops a fever above 38.5°C following vaccination, paracetamol can be given. If a high temperature above 38.5°C persists, contact your doctor or seek medical assistance. Very rarely, a high fever after vaccination can result in a febrile convulsion in children under the age of 5 years.
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I heard there were problems with the flu vaccine for children in 2010, how do I know it is safe this year?
In 2010, increased rates of high fever and febrile convulsions in children under five years of age were found with one brand of vaccine, Fluvax. This vaccine is not being used for children under 5 years of age in Australia in 2011.Two other vaccine brands, Influvac and Vaxigrip, are available and recommended for use in children as they are not associated with increased side effects.
Increased rates of fever have also been seen with Fluvax in children between 5 years and less than 10 years. Although febrile convulsions are rare in this age group, it is recommended that Influvac or Vaxigrip be used in preference to Fluvax in this age group.
Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor John Horvath, has reviewed Australia’s seasonal influenza vaccination program and our system of reporting adverse events. This Review is now available:
Review of the management of adverse events associated with Panvax and Fluvax
Common side effects following seasonal flu vaccination include soreness, pain and swelling at the injection site, fever, vomiting and malaise. These side effects are usually mild and resolve quickly without any treatment. If an infant or child develops a fever above 38.5°C following vaccination, paracetamol can be given. If a high temperature above 38.5°C persists, contact your doctor or seek medical assistance. Very rarely, a high fever after vaccination can result in a febrile convulsion in children under the age of 5 years.
Further information can be found at: http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/health-prof and/or http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Fever_in_Childhood
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Is it safe for me to get the flu shot if I am pregnant?
Yes. The flu vaccine can be safely given during any stage of pregnancy. It is recommended that pregnant women get the flu shot as they are at higher risk of severe flu or complications from flu if they get the flu virus. Vaccinating against flu during pregnancy also provides protection for the baby during their first vulnerable months of life.Top of Page
Is it safe for me, as an adult, to get the flu shot?
Yes. All seasonal flu vaccines are safe and effective in adults and are especially recommended for those at high risk of severe flu or complications from flu. People at high risk include those with underlying medical conditions, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, those aged 65 years and over and pregnant women.Flu vaccine is available free from the general practitioners or immunisation providers for people at risk of severe flu.
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What are the possible side effects from the flu shot?
Common side effects following seasonal flu vaccination include soreness, pain and swelling at the injection site, fever, vomiting and malaise. These side effects are usually mild and resolve quickly without any treatment. If an infant or child develops a fever above 38.5°C following vaccination, paracetamol can be given. If a high temperature above 38.5°C persists, contact your doctor or seek medical assistance. Very rarely, a high fever after vaccination can result in a febrile convulsion in children under the age of 5 years.Further information can be found at: http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/health-prof
and/or
http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Fever_in_Childhood
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How long after the flu shot can these reactions occur?
Generally, reactions occur within the first 24 to 48 hrs. These reactions commonly begin 6 to 12 hours after vaccination.Top of Page
If I get a side effect after flu vaccine, where can I report it?
Adverse events following any immunisation can be reported to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) by calling the Adverse Medicine Events Line on 1300 134 237 or lodging a report online at http://www.tga.gov.au You can also report adverse events to your doctor, hospital, health centre or to your state and territory health authority.Top of Page
Page last modified: 25 May, 2011