The 2017 flu season was one of the worst on record, but luckily Wollongong hospital is prepared this time around.
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A ‘pop up’ flu prevention event held at Wollongong Hospital on Tuesday armed the public with information to combat influenza.
About 20 hardy souls also received free flu shots during the event administered by Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District public health director Curtis Gregory.
Mr Gregory was hopeful the event would encourage people to go and get vaccinations this coming winter.
Each season, influenza vaccines can change as health professionals anticipate which strain of flu will be circulating.
Mr Gregory said there were four strains of the flu this season.
So if you are feeling symptoms of the flu, it is just the vaccine triggering an immune response, which ultimately it is designed to do.
- Curtis Gregory
But he added two additional vaccines were available and free for people aged over 65, thanks to the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
The first was called Fluad, which has the adjuvant agent that prompts a stronger immune response.
While the other vaccine Fluzone, has a three to four times stronger dose than normal shots.
A national report suggests Fluad could be up to 25 per cent more effective in preventing influenza, while a recent clinical trial showed Fluzone improved the chances of remaining immune by 24 percent.
This pleased Mr Gregory, who recommended people get flu shots yearly as new strains are targeted each season.
“The flu shot can take up to two weeks to take effect and for immunity to develop. It lasts three to four months with August being the peak of the season,” he said.
Mr Gregory also hit back at sceptics, saying the shot is a ‘broken virus’, meaning it is not alive or functioning like a usual virus.
“So if you are feeling symptoms of the flu, it is just the vaccine triggering an immune response, which ultimately it is designed to do,” he said.
The influenza vaccine is available until next January.
In the case of a patient not being in one of the certain groups of people who are at the greatest risk of severe influenza categories, vaccinations can be bought for $10-$20.
