Why you, your neighbour and…everyone should get a Flu Vaccine this year

The Flu or influenza virus is a respiratory illness causing symptoms of fevers, chills, muscle aches, headaches, cough, runny nose, along with severe and often debilitating fatigue.  Severe symptoms, often leading to being bedbound, last 3 to 4 days with total symptoms lasting up to 14 days.  Complications of Influenza can be very serious such as a secondary bacterial lung infection, an increased risk of heart attacks along with inflammation of the connective tissue and muscles of the heart and nerve inflammation along with many other rare and serious illnesses.  Australia has had a record number (50% increase from 2024) of Influenza cases in the first 3 months of this year causing epidemiologists to predict both an earlier and larger peak of Influenza this year.

As a Doctor I recommend everyone gets an Influenza vaccine yearly and this is backed by the Australian Government Immunisation Guidelines.  Influenza virus mutates rapidly so previous vaccines or infections won’t provide adequate coverage.  Each year Medical Scientists study the genetic drift in Influenza in the Northern Hemisphere to tailor a vaccine to protect you and your community from this year’s Flu.

A lot of young people incorrectly believe they are safe from Influenza stating they’ve had colds before; however, Influenza is not the same as the common cold.  It is much more serious. Once you’ve had the Flu and been in bed with fevers for 4 days, it’s very unlikely you will decide to skip the vaccine again. If you are vaccinated and come into contact with the flu you can help limit the spread to those who are most vulnerable in our society

Being vaccinated will either cause you to have no symptoms or mild symptoms if you catch the Flu.  This will reduce the risk of your elderly neighbour, your pregnant colleague or your friend who is immunocompromised from catching the Flu. By vaccinating we can protect those most vulnerable from the most severe outcomes of the Flu.

Whilst I recommend everyone get the vaccine, the following groups are particularly advised to vaccinate:

–          Children aged 6 months to 5 years

–          Adults aged 65 and above

–          Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People

–          People with a chronic illness that increases the risk of severe Influenza (1 in 2 Australians)

–          Pregnant women

–          Homeless people

So why should you have a Flu vaccine?  Firstly, to stop yourself becoming sick for 2 weeks and the loss of income and stress that may occur.  Secondly, to protect your family and friends. Finally, to do your part to protect the most vulnerable in our society.

In 2025 the Queensland Government is funding free Influenza vaccines to everyone.  Manly Village Medical has made the choice to offer bulk billed appointments for patients to have the Flu vaccine fully funded by the Queensland Government.  So please book an appointment in one of the Flu Clinics today!