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Don’t let the flu bug catch you: Make 1 May your VDay
With less than two weeks remaining until the start of the flu season (Friday 1 May), Hunter New England Health is urging members of the community to protect themselves against influenza. The single vaccination could spare many people, their friends, families and colleagues from becoming ill this winter.
Hunter New England Health Public Health Physician Dr David Durrheim said the first of May marks the start of the flu season each year, and provides an appropriate deadline date for influenza vaccination.
“Consider observing the first of May each year as VDay, the day by which all at-risk community members should be vaccinated against the influenza virus.
“The coming winter months generally see an increase in cases of influenza across our region. Receiving your immunization in March or April when the new vaccine for the year is first available is the very best strategy,” he said.
The best time to be vaccinated against influenza is prior to the annual winter outbreak, as it takes approximately two weeks after vaccination to develop antibodies against influenza.
“The vaccine is generally effective in preventing influenza in most people and if people do get infected, their illness is usually less severe,” Dr Durrheim said.
It is especially important for non Aboriginal people older than 65 years and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders older than 50 years to receive the vaccination each year, as well as ‘at-risk’ groups such as people with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma and renal disease.
“It is essential that people living in aged care facilities are immunised against influenza. Those who care for or visit people in aged care facilities should also be immunised.
“There are very few side effects of the vaccine and a sore arm for a day or two is usually all that can be expected,” he said.
Dr Durrheim also highlighted the contagious nature of the influenza virus and encouraged the community to be mindful of the way it spreads.
“The virus is spread from person to person through infectious droplets when an infected person coughs and sneezes. It can also be spread by touching the contaminated surfaces of doors, rails and other objects.
“Statistics show that during the average winter season, approximately one in 10 people may be infected with influenza,” Dr Durrheim said.
Influenza is not a trivial disease, unlike the viruses that cause the common cold.
Influenza virus causes fever, chills, headache, dry cough, weakness and aching limbs. The fever usually passes in a few days, but the feeling of weakness and the cough can last for some time.
Friday 1 May is VDay for 2009. Influenza vaccination is free for people over 65 years of age and Indigenous Australians over 50 years. For other people, flu shots can be obtained at a small cost. Please call your GP to make a booking today to be prepared for the flu season ahead.
*VDay stands for Vaccination Day, marked by the onset of the flu season (1 May) each year. It is the date by which all at-risk people should be immunised against the annual flu strain for the vaccination to be most effective.
Media: To arrange an interview or photo opportunity, please contact Nicole Fuller on (02) 4921 4477 or 0408 665 019. A number of high-resolution photos are available for your use. Please email Nicole.Fuller@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au
Contact: Nicole Fuller
Phone: (02) 4921 4477
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