Even in Hervey Bay …
… you need to remember to have your flu shots.
Yes, it’s that time of year again - the time when we need to front up to the doctor and have our annual flu shot. It’s important to have a fresh vaccination each year because your level of immunity declines over the course of a year. Each year fresh strains of influenza appear and the vaccine is updated to cover those fresh strains.
People over the age of 65 and both adults and children with chronic diseases should be vaccinated every year.
The National Health and Medical Research Council recommends vaccination for:
·all people aged 65 years and older
·all Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and older
·adults and children with heart, lung, kidney or liver disorders or diabetes
·children with congenital heart disease, cystic fibrosis, or severe asthma requiring frequent hospitalisation
·adults and children on therapy which lowers their immunity
·people with HIV
·residents of nursing homes and residential care facilities plus people in close contact with them including family members, healthcare providers and staff of nursing homes.
The Minister for Health advises that the influenza vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program for:
·all people aged 65 years and older
·all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and older and
·Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 to 49 years who have an underlying chronic illness.
These people can receive the free vaccine by visiting their local GP or health clinic.
Anyone who is not eligible for the free vaccine will need to visit their local GP or health clinic to obtain a prescription to purchase it from their local pharmacy.
Anyone who is not eligible for the free vaccine will need to visit their local GP or health clinic to obtain a prescription to purchase it from their local pharmacy.
