Winter and the influenza season will be upon us soon, so now’s the time to think about having an influenza vaccination if you haven’t done so already.

Influenza or ‘the flu’ is a potentially debilitating illness caused by influenza viruses. It is not just a bad cold, even though people often refer to their common colds as the flu.

Influenza usually starts suddenly with a high fever and malaise, headache, muscle aches, sore throat, stuffy nose and dry cough. It tends to affect the whole body, unlike the common cold, which usually affects only the nose and throat. The symptoms are often severe enough to warrant staying in bed.

Why have a flu vaccination?

The main reason for having a flu vaccination is to prevent you developing the potential complications of the influenza infection.

In healthy adults, influenza illness usually resolves in 1 – 2 weeks. However, in susceptible people (see list below), the illness may be severe, and lead to debilitating and occasionally life-threatening complications, such as pneumonia. Susceptible people are advised to have a vaccination each autumn to minimise their likelihood of developing complications.

Should I be vaccinated?

The people thought to be most at risk of complications if they contract influenza include:

• people aged 65 and older
• Indigenous people aged 50 and older
• people with some chronic conditions and those whose immune systems are supressed
• residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. 

Does it work?

Vaccination prevents infection with the influenza virus in 70 – 90% of healthy adults. In elderly people, the vaccine is less effective at preventing infection, but it reduces the rate of complications, such as hospitalisation and pneumonia, by 50 – 60%.

Why every year?

An influenza vaccination provides protection against the strains of influenza expected to be circulating in the community that year. However, the virus is constantly changing its structure, so a new vaccination is needed each year to ensure protection against any new strains that have emerged since the previous year.

What does it cost?

The Australian Government provides free influenza vaccines to people over 65, Indigenous people over 50, and Indigenous people aged 15 – 50 who are thought to be at high risk of complications. The vaccines are distributed to GPs, so eligible people can go directly to their doctor for a vaccination.

People not eligible for free influenza vaccines must obtain a prescription from a doctor and buy their vaccine from a pharmacy — as they would any other medicine.

Some local councils and employers provide vaccinations for all or some of their residents and employees. Check with your council or employer to see if you may be eligible.

What about side effects?

The most common side effect of influenza vaccination is soreness at the injection site, which may last for up to two days. Less commonly, flulike symptoms, such as fever, malaise and muscle soreness, occur. Rarely, allergic reactions occur.