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FLU SEASON

Flu Vaccinations available at Nedlands Medical Centre.

Flu vaccinations can help to protect you and your family from infection caused by the influenza virus

 

 What is the flu?

The flu is a contagious health condition caused by the influenza virus.

However, sometimes people confuse the symptoms of the common cold with the flu. A flu vaccine is particularly important for young children, adults over 65 years and people with chronic health conditions.  

The flu virus infects the nose, throat and lungs, resulting in symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, and muscle and body aches. It can also lead to severe health complications.

Who should get immunised against influenza?

Anyone who wants to protect themselves against influenza should talk to their doctor about getting immunised.

Moreover, you should get the influenza vaccine every year. This is because the most common strains of the virus that cause influenza change every year. Therefore, the vaccine also changes every year to match these strains.

Flu vaccination is recommended for the following people:

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over

  • people aged 6 months to under 5 years,

  • people aged 6 months or over who have medical conditions that mean they have a higher risk of getting serious disease

  • pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy

  • people aged 65 years or over

  • women who are planning a pregnancy

  • people who live or work in aged care homes or long-term facilities

  • homeless people, and the people who care for them

  • healthcare workers

  • people who live or work in the same household as someone who is at high risk of serious disease from influenza

  • early childhood education and care workers

What are the possible side effects of flu vaccinations?

All medicines and vaccines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they’re not.

For most people, the chance of serious side effect from a vaccine is much lower than the chance of serious harm if you caught the disease.

Talk to one of our friendly doctors about possible side effects of the influenza vaccines, or if you or your child have possible side effects that worry you.

 

 More information:

Influenza resources

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