Workplace Flu Vaccinations Australia-wide

• The 2023 Vaccine protects again the 4 most common flu strains In the Southern Hemisphere:
  • an A/Sydney/5/2021 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
  • an A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2)-like virus;
  • a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus; and
  • a B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus

• A highly infectious viral illness caused by the Influenza virus
• Tends to be much more severe than the common cold
• Symptoms include: rapid onset of fever, muscle aches, joint pains, headache, sore throat, cough and a generalised feeling of unwellness
• Lasts up to 10 days
• Can be followed by a secondary illness e.g. pneumonia
• Peak time is winter

No. The vaccine contains only inactivated virus particles (a virus that has been concentrated, killed then broken apart) and is therefore incapable of causing Influenza infection.

Influenza vaccination prevents up to 90% of cases of Influenza infection in healthy adults.

Yes, once you have recovered and are symptom free you may have a flu vaccination

You will form antibodies to fight the flu around 3 –14 days after receiving your immunisation. Your antibodies will peak at around 4-6 weeks – this is when you are most
protected. Your antibodies will gradually decline but you will remain protected for around 9 months to 1 year.

The Influenza virus strains change each year so the vaccine is changed accordingly. The World Health Organization predicts the 4 most expected strains and the vaccine manufacturers are all required to formulate their vaccines to cover these 4 strains.

Yes. Anyone travelling overseas should get vaccinated. You should ideally try to be vaccinated no later than 2 days before you are due to travel, in case you have any side-effects that require advice or treatment

Following common law guidelines, if you are 16 years or over you can consent to have the vaccination without your parents’ or guardians’ consent. If you are 15 years or under (and are legally employed by the organisation paying for the vaccination) you may have the vaccination provided your parent or guardian sign your consent form. If you are not an employee or contractor of the organisation, unfortunately we cannot vaccinate you.

If you have a mild cold, you can still have the flu vaccination. We only recommend delaying if you have a high fever above 38.5 degrees Celsius. Even if you have had the flu this year, you will still benefit from the vaccine as it will protect you from the other three flu strains.

Vaccination is best carried out during April-June each year, before the onset of the peak season for Flu.

Possible redness, soreness, itching, bruising or mild swelling at the injection site. This usually clears within 1-2 days.
Sometimes a tender lump under the arm appears (a lymph gland) that may be present for several days. Occasionally people develop a mild fever within 1 –2 days of the vaccination
and occasionally muscle aches, headache or a general feeling of unwellness. This usually lasts no more than 1-2 days.

The medical profession and governments world-wide have identified pregnant women as a high priority group for receiving an influenza vaccination. This is based on (a) good evidence that
the vaccine is safe for both the pregnant woman and the unborn child (b) good evidence to show that the vaccine reduces the risk of illness and hospitalisation due to influenza and pneumonia in vaccinated pregnant women (c) the process of vaccinating pregnant women extends protection against influenza and pneumonia to the unborn/newborn child which continues until the child is 6 months of age (d) there is evidence that it reduces the incidence of stillbirth and premature birth. The vaccine may be administered during all stages of pregnancy, including the first trimester. The vaccine is safe to be given during all stages of breast feeding. If you are concerned, talk to your Obstetrician or GP.

It is important that you follow the online booking process. This captures consent for the vaccination as well as your details to ensure you receive an electronic vaccination record and so your vaccination is automatically uploaded to the Australian Immunisation Registry following the clinic. If you have not booked online, we may not have allocated enough vaccines and therefore, may not be able to accommodate you on the day.

The AIR is a national register to record an individual’s vaccination history. HCA are a recognised vaccination provider in Australia and our online booking system directly links to the AIR.

Yes. Influenza is a different virus and Covid vaccinations will not protect you from the Flu. Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) issues updated advice on the timing of administering influenza vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines.

As of December 2021), ATAGI states,: 

• – Influenza vaccines can be co-administered (i.e. on the same day) with the COVID-19 vaccines.  
• – Subject to the availability of influenza vaccines, an ideal time to immunise could be co-administration with COVID-19 booster vaccines. 
• – Alternatively, to monitor possible side effects, you may prefer an interval between a dose of influenza vaccine and a dose of a Covid-19 vaccine of a minimum of 7 days (previously 14 days). For more information refer to ATAGI’s ATAGI Clinical guidance on COVID-19 vaccine in Australia 2021 

Your Medicare number and the reference number next to your name is required to upload evidence of your vaccination to the Australian Immunisation Register
(AIR). When you need to access a record of your flu vaccination, you can access this from mygov website. Your doctor will also be able to see that you have been vaccinated against influenza.