Flu season has arrived - make sure you are protected

As the world continues to focus on the roll-out of critically important vaccines to protect against COVID-19, there remains a need to ensure routine vaccinations are not missed, including the annual flu shot.

Council is continuing to operate its public immunisation service during the current lockdown to ensure the community is protected from vaccine preventable diseases.

Council would like to remind members of the community that flu vaccinations are offered free to our most vulnerable groups through the National Immunisation Program (NIP).

Protect yourself and others from the flu this year by booking an appointment online at one of Council’s Public Immunisation sessions. Infant and childhood vaccinations are also offered at these sessions and can be booked online.

Residents can also speak to their GP, pharmacist or another immunisation provider to arrange a flu vaccination.

Vaccination experts recommend flu vaccination for all people aged six months and over.

Receiving a flu vaccination provides optimal protection in the peak period of influenza, usually from June to October in most parts of Australia.

Influenza (flu) is a respiratory infection with the potential to cause serious complications, particularly among young children, seniors and people with certain medical conditions.

Councillor Tony Dib, one of Council’s representatives on the Maroondah Community Health and Wellbeing Committee, said that while it could happen at any time, it was more common to get the flu, or experience flu-like symptoms, in the colder months of the year.

“To ensure you feel confident to attend our immunisation sessions during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have processes in place to ensure everyone stays safe, including social distancing, additional cleaning and hand hygiene,” Cr Dib said.

“When booking in for your flu shot, it’s important to remember to let our vaccination team or your vaccination provider know if you have received the COVID-19 vaccine, and when you received it. This will help them to plan your appointment,” he said.

Vaccination experts recommend waiting at least 7 days between a dose of seasonal flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine.

Groups eligible for the free seasonal influenza vaccine include:

Children aged from 6 months to under 5 years old (up to 4 years and 11 months) People aged 65 years and over Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over Those aged six months and over with medical conditions predisposing them to influenza (i.e. respiratory disease, low immunity, severe asthma)

For up-to-date information on Council-run immunisation services, visit our Public immunisation session website page. You can also contact our immunisation team on 1300 88 22 33 or email [email protected]