Flu and Flu Clinic Q&As

No, the flu vaccine cannot protect against COVID-19, as the COVID-19 virus is completely different to the influenza viruses, even though symptoms might be similar.

The flu vaccine won't protect against COVID-19, but it may help to reduce the severity and spread of seasonal influenza, which can lower a person's immunity and make them more susceptible to other illnesses (like COVID-19).

Having the flu vaccine helps protect yourself and those around you, especially those who are too sick or too young to be vaccinated, as well as other people including those who are pregnant, or aged over 65.

Health authorities would like to avoid people presenting at GP clinics or their local hospital with seasonal flu to take pressure off our health system, and to reduce the risk of unwell people also catching other viruses including COVID-19.

The flu vaccination is the most effective way for preventing and stopping the influenza virus from spreading. The flu vaccine stimulates the body to make antibodies which fight the influenza virus. While no vaccine is 100% effective, it can:

• keep you from getting sick with the flu
• for some, reduce the severity and complications of the flu if contracted
• be a good preventative measure for people with chronic health conditions
• reduce flu associated hospitalisations for all ages
• help protect women during and after pregnancy
• help protect those more vulnerable around you i.e. babies, older people and people with chronic health conditions

Influenza or the “flu” is caused by a respiratory virus which spreads from person to person through the air when someone sneezes, coughs or talks. Surfaces can also become contaminated with the virus  by droplets spread through sneezing or coughing, or if these surfaces are touched by unwashed hands. If you then touch a contaminated surface you can infect yourself if you subsequently touch your mouth or nose. The flu virus is highly contagious and symptoms usually appear 5-7 days after contact. These symptoms can last for weeks are different to the common cold: they are generally more severe and include high fever, muscular aches & pains, headache, coughing and sore throat. It is estimated that each year, flu contributes to an average of 13,500 hospitalisations and more than 2,000 deaths among Australians in the last 10 years².

Influenza is not just a bad cold – it is highly contagious, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death, particularly in the elderly (over 80 years of age). It can cause normally healthy people who contract the virus to suffer symptoms like extreme exhaustion, high fever, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, headache, cough with muscle and joint pain that can remain for weeks. Generally people have to take time off work and household duties, and some people are even hospitalised. The flu can also worsen underlying medical conditions such as heart conditions, asthma and respiratory conditions, diabetes, kidney disease, impaired immunity and neuromuscular disease, giving these people an even higher risk of complications from the flu.

Each year the Influenza Vaccine Committee approves the use and composition of flu vaccines in Australia, as they vary from year to year. Flu vaccines in Australia do not contain any live virus and stringent safety testing is conducted to ensure the new vaccine is safe for use. Your GP and pharmacist will also check your suitability for a flu vaccination prior to vaccinating you.

As the strains of viruses responsible for seasonal influenza mutate or change each year, the vaccine composition is modified, and therefore must be given annually to offer the best protection against the flu strains that are circulating at the time.

In Australia, peak flu season is in the winter months, and the flu shot will normally provide you with immunity during this time. The Australian Government’s Immunisation Handbook states that, “optimal protection is within the first 3–4 months after vaccination. Deferring vaccination to the beginning of winter may result in greater immunity later in the season, but may also result in missed opportunities for vaccination and lack of protection if the influenza season starts early”³.

This a common misconception – no, the flu shot does not give you the flu. There is no live virus in the vaccines used in Australia. In rare cases, if someone is exposed to the flu virus just before having their vaccination, it may still develop as the vaccine takes about two weeks to develop full immunity. Otherwise, if you get a runny nose, or a sore throat following your jab, you might have just had some bad luck and caught a cold, not the flu.

The National Immunisation Program (NIP) is an Australian Government initiative that offers free vaccinations under Medicare at different stages of life, or to certain members of the community, such as pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and those with specific health conditions. Visit SA Health to see if you are eligible.

The Health Partners Free Flu Vaccination offer is only available at Health Partners participating pharmacies until 31 August. Find out more.

Contact the pharmacy directly to make an appointment or ask about clinic times. Most will also accept non-appointment based walk-ins after clinic times, however there may be a wait.

You need to take your current Health Partners membership card.

No, a prescription is not required if you are having a registered and accredited pharmacist or other qualified health professionals administer the vaccine to you in the pharmacy.

No a Medicare card is not required to receive the flu vaccination.

The best time to vaccinate is in autumn, but the flu vaccine can be given at any time during the flu season while the vaccine is available. It is effective from 2 weeks post vaccination for approximately 4 months.

Health Partners is offering members free flu shots at participating pharmacies from 1 March to 31 August 2021. Pharmacies will start their clinics when they receive vaccine stock, which is usually mid to late March.

Specially trained pharmacists are able to administer flu vaccinations. Each Australian state determines which vaccinations pharmacists can administer and to what ages. All states permit pharmacists to vaccinate for influenza⁴. Some pharmacies may also employ the services of a nurse practitioner or doctor to do the vaccinations. In South Australia, pharmacists are able to vaccinate people between the ages of 10-65, younger or older people are recommended to see their GP.

The injection itself will be done before you know it, but it is recommended you wait nearby for about 15 minutes afterwards, so you can be monitored by pharmacy staff in the unlikely event of a reaction.

Most people will just experience some soreness around the injection site, but some will also experience a mild fever, tiredness or body aches⁵.

For any mild side effects that are experienced, they can often be reduced by:

• drinking extra fluids
• resting
• taking paracetamol as per the instructions on the packet/bottle
• not overdressing if you are already hot.

Depending on the severity, people with an egg allergy, including a history of anaphylaxis, can be safely vaccinated with the influenza vaccine. We recommend that you chat to your pharmacist or GP to discuss your allergy.

There are some people that the flu vaccination may not be suitable for. If you fall into one of the categories below, please contact your GP prior to receiving the flu vaccination.

• Patients who currently have an illness resulting in a fever greater than or equal to 38.5^oC.
• People with a lowered immunity caused by either a medical condition or medical treatment.
• People who have had a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis following a previous dose of the vaccine in question, or to a component of the vaccine.
• Patient with a history of Guillian Barré syndrome.
• Patient with a bleeding disorder.
• Patients with severe chronic diseases.
• If they have numerous questions about the vaccination.

You sure can! Health Partners members with hospital or extras cover are entitled to the offer, whatever your level of cover, so long as you are up-to-date with your premium payments. There is a limit of one per member on the policy.

Based on World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations; the Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee (AIVC) have recommended the 2021 quadrivalent influenza vaccines for the southern hemisphere influenza season.

Egg-based quadrivalent influenza vaccines:

• an A/Victoria/2570/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
• an A/Hong Kong/2671/2019 (H3N2)-like virus;
• a B/Washington/02/2019-like (B/Victoria lineage) virus; and
• a B/Phuket/3073/2013-like (B/Yamagata lineage) virus.

Please refer to your Pharmacist or doctor for more information

There is a new cell based flu vaccine in 2021. What is the difference between this vaccine and the traditional egg based influenza vaccines?

Flucelvax Quad is the first quadrivalent cell-based influenza vaccine to be registered in Australia. It is based on new mammalian cell technology as opposed to vaccines developed in embryonic chicken eggs. New to Australia this year, they may prove to be more effective than egg vaccines, depending on the viruses circulating in the influenza season.

Given they do not use egg in their manufacture, they may also be more appropriate for those patients with egg allergies. This vaccine is more expensive and is not included on the government’s NIP program. Health Partners is not covering this vaccine in its Free Flu Vaccine program for 2021.

You sure can! Health Partners members with hospital or extras cover are entitled to the offer, whatever your level of cover, so long as you are up-to-date with your premium payments. There is a limit of one per member on the policy.

Based on World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations; the Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee (AIVC) have recommended the 2021 quadrivalent influenza vaccines for the southern hemisphere influenza season.

Egg-based quadrivalent influenza vaccines:

• · an A/Victoria/2570/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
• · an A/Hong Kong/2671/2019 (H3N2)-like virus;
• · a B/Washington/02/2019-like (B/Victoria lineage) virus; and
• · a B/Phuket/3073/2013-like (B/Yamagata lineage) virus.

Please refer to your Pharmacist or doctor for more information

The Australian government funds the cost of vaccinations for people over 65 and people at high risk of influenza and its complications via the NIP. If you are over 65, you’re eligible to have a free flu vaccination under the NIP at your local GP clinic.

The vaccination offered at pharmacies is suitable for those under 65 years of age. Over 65s are eligible for free flu vaccinations under the National Immunisation Scheme and need to discuss this with their doctor.

Last year, legislation passed in South Australia permitting pharmacists to vaccinate children over the ages of 10 (previously, the minimum age was 16 years). So this flu season, children over the age of 10 can be vaccinated at participating pharmacies. Please call your pharmacy to check their requirements for vaccinating children of this age.

Children between 6 months and 5 years can also receive the flu vaccination for free as part of the National Immunisation Program (NIP). Children aged between 5 and 10, if they are medically at risk are eligible for a free vaccination under the NIP, however all other children in this age group will need to see their GP as a normal visit. Check with your GP clinic as to how they charge for your child’s flu vaccination.

If members who live regionally or interstate and do not live within a reasonable distance from a participating pharmacy, they can claim a benefit of up to $15 on the price of their flu shot.

Please retain your receipt and call us on 1300 113 113 to ensure your claim is eligible and processed accordingly.