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This page/column contains information which may be of interest to consumers. The information is based on articles which appear in Australian Prescriber. As Australian Prescriber is written for health professionals, you should discuss any issues raised by this page/column with your doctor or pharmacist. They will be able to give a more detailed answer to your questions by reading the main article.
Australian Prescriber is unable to comment on individual cases or give second opinions.
Australian Prescriber Vol. 30 No. 2 2007
Flu vaccination
When someone says they have 'flu', it is not necessarily influenza. Most people who get influenza suffer from a high temperature, tiredness, coughing and sneezing. They generally get better after a week or so without needing treatment. However, older people or people suffering from chronic illness, such as severe asthma, sometimes develop serious complications like pneumonia. A flu vaccine is free of charge for these people and for people who live or work with them. As the virus that causes flu can change, a new vaccine is needed every year.
Most people who are healthy and less than 65 years old who want the vaccine have to pay for it themselves. If you are thinking of getting the vaccine, bear these numbers in mind. Of 100 people, about 24 will get flu. If all of these 100 people were vaccinated, only 18 of them would get flu.
