Immunisation
Flu Immunisation
Influenza (flu) is an infection of the nose, throat and sometimes lungs caused by flu viruses. It spreads easily and quickly between people through coughing, talking, sneezing and touching contaminated hands, tissues and other items. Flu can cause serious illness, complications and hospitalisation for anyone, but some people are at even higher risk.
Vaccination every year is the best way to protect yourself against the flu.
-
Influenza or 'flu' is a highly contagious infection caused by the influenza virus. The virus is spread when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes small droplets into the air, where they may be breathed in by people nearby. Infection may also be spread by contact with contaminated hands, tissues and other infected articles. Flu infection can cause serious illness and complications, especially in young children, pregnant women and older people. Infection can be more severe when people have other existing medical conditions, such as diabetes, breathing or heart problems. Flu infection causes hospital stays and deaths every year. After the vaccination, it is still possible to get flu but it will usually be much milder.
-
The flu vaccine helps your body to develop immunity without you getting the flu. The flu vaccine contains several inactivated strains to protect against the most commonly circulating flu viruses each year.
-
The seasonal flu vaccine is recommended for anyone aged six months and over to reduce the likelihood of getting flu.
It is especially important for people at increased risk of complications from flu.
-
People eligible for free vaccine include:
- all children from six months to less than five years of age
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders people aged six months and over
- pregnant people in any trimester
- those aged 65 years and over
- those with chronic medical conditions (check with your doctor or nurse)
- people experiencing homelessness -
As the flu virus changes frequently, the vaccine must be given each year to offer the best protection. Children under nine years of age, and those with a lowered immune system, should have two doses of the vaccine at least one month apart when getting the flu vaccine for the first time.
-
The best time to vaccinate is autumn, but flu vaccine can be given at any time during the year while vaccine is available. It usually takes up to two weeks for the flu vaccine to provide protection.
-
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) evaluates and registers all vaccines in Australia to ensure they are safe and effective.
-
It is safe for people with an egg allergy to have flu vaccine even if the allergy is severe. You do not have to be vaccinated in a hospital.
-
Most side effects are minor, last a short time and resolve without any treatment. Generally, common reactions such as fever, headache, muscle aches and soreness at the injection site begin within a few hours as the immune system starts to respond to the vaccine and last for 1 to 2 days.
Remember, you cannot get the flu from the vaccine because it does not contain any live flu virus.
More serious reactions are rare. All unexpected side effects should be reported to your doctor, immunisation provider or the Immunisation Section, SA Health.
Shingrix Vaccine
Shingles (also called herpes zoster) is the disease caused when the chickenpox virus reactivates. Shingles can cause severe pain that can last for months.
Vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect yourself from serious disease caused by shingles.
-
Free shingles vaccination under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) is available for eligible people most at risk of complications from shingles.
A 2-dose course of Shingrix is available for free for:
- people aged 65 years and over
- First Nations people aged 50 years and over
- immunocompromised people aged 18 years and over with the following medical conditions:
- haematopoietic stem cell transplant
- solid organ transplant
- haematological malignancy
- advanced or untreated HIV -
The shingles vaccine is a single vaccine, not a combination vaccine (2 or more different vaccines in 1 dose).
Shingrix consists of 2 doses given 2 to 6 months apart in immunocompetent (healthy) people, or 1 to 2 months apart in people who are immunocompromised.
-
You may experience minor side effects following vaccination. Most reactions are mild and last no more than a couple of days and you will recover without any problems.
Common side effects that may present 1 to 3 days after shingles vaccination include:
- pain, redness and swelling at injection site
- tiredness, muscle aches, headaches and fever
- gastrointestinal symptoms.Serious reactions to immunisation are rare.
COVID-19 vaccinations
COVID-19 vaccines help protect people most at risk of severe disease from COVID-19 infection.
-
The most frequently reported side effects include injection-site reactions, such a sore arm. Other reported side effects include:
- headache
- muscle pain
- fever and chills
- fatigue.These side effects typically last no more than a couple of days, and you will recover without any problems.
-
Regular COVID-19 vaccination is recommended even in individuals who have had a past infection.
There are no safety concerns for individuals receiving a COVID-19 vaccine who may have had a recent COVID-19 infection.
-
You can obtain proof of your vaccination by accessing your immunisation history statement.