The 2017 National Immunisation Program seasonal influenza vaccines are currently being distributed around the country.
Key features of the 2017 NIP influenza vaccines
- Four age-specific quadrivalent influenza vaccines (QIVs) will be available free to eligible people under the NIP, including:
- pregnant women
- people aged 65 years and over
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged
- six months to less than five years
- 15 years and over
- People aged six months and over with medical conditions predisposing them to severe influenza
- Recent evidence suggests that protection following influenza vaccination may begin to wane after three to four months and timing of vaccination should aim at achieving the highest level of protection during the period of influenza virus circulation, usually around August.
- Please consider the special needs of pregnant women (who should receive the vaccine at any stage during pregnancy), people travelling to a destination where influenza is circulating, and young children six months to nine years of age (who should have two doses in the first year they receive the vaccine).
- The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone from six months of age. You might be interested in reading this article: ‘Millions of Australian adults are unvaccinated and it’s increasing disease risk for all of us‘.
How you can assist
Vaccination providers will play a key role in informing patients about the 2017 seasonal influenza vaccines. The Department of Health encourages vaccination providers to:
- promote the vaccine to eligible people through displaying the posters and brochures in your clinic.
- offer vaccination throughout the influenza season. In particular, those in risk groups, especially pregnant women can benefit from vaccination at any time of the year.
- ensure vaccine safety by checking you have the correct vaccine for the person’s age. Note all 2017 NIP vaccines include the age indication on the barrel of the syringe to make it easier.
- report all influenza vaccinations to the Australian Immunisation Register.
The below materials are also available on the Immunise Australia Website.
Resources
- FACT SHEET – for vaccination providers
- FACT SHEET – for consumers, including frequently asked questions
- FACT SHEET – for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- BROCHURE – for pregnant women, including the benefits of influenza vaccination during pregnancy
- SAFETY CARD – for vaccination providers, highlighting the correct vaccine for each age
- POSTER – promoting the seasonal influenza vaccine
- POSTER – promoting the seasonal influenza vaccine to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander audiences
- POSTER – promoting the 2017 seasonal influenza vaccine to pregnant women
More immunisation resources can be found on our Immunisation Program page.