General News
13 April, 2023
Time to roll up your sleeve for the flu jab
It’s that time of year — temperatures are dropping, daylight savings has ended, and flu shots are rolling into local pharmacies. The flu jab is recommended for everyone from mid-April onwards to be protected for the peak influenza season...
It’s that time of year — temperatures are dropping, daylight savings has ended, and flu shots are rolling into local pharmacies.
The flu jab is recommended for everyone from mid-April onwards to be protected for the peak influenza season, typically June to September.
The highest level of protection occurs in the first three to four months after vaccination.
Priceline Pharmacy Maryborough pharmacist Laura Robinson said stock is ready to go.
“There’s a bit of ‘umming and ahhing’ at the moment on what the flu season will look like so the recommendation is to get the flu vaccine soon as you can,” she said.
“It’s particularly important for people who haven’t had a recent COVID vaccine — if you’re eligible, we can actually do a COVID vaccine and flu shot at the same time.”
Ms Robinson said the vaccine is beneficial for all community members.
“There’s many benefits to getting the flu vaccine, particularly for the older folk or people who have pre-existing health conditions. But it’s also beneficial for your average healthy person because the flu will go around the community,” she said.
“If you have concerns we are the vaccination experts — even if you don’t want it that day, come in and have a chat with us about it, we’re always happy to answer questions.”
So far there have been no flu cases reported in the Central Goldfields Shire — in 2022 there were 37 cases, and prior to the pandemic (COVID-19 restrictions saw flu case numbers plummet) in 2019 there was a huge spike in cases at 102.
The vaccine is free for a high-risk groups including children aged six months to less than five years, pregnant women, people aged 65 years and older, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people with medical conditions putting them at increased risk of severe influenza.
Influenza vaccines can be given on the same day as any COVID-19 vaccine.
Flu shots are available now from Priceline Pharmacy Maryborough, with walk ins accepted. Mary-borough Pharmacy (formerly Guardian Pharmacy) currently only has government subsidised flu shots for over 65s available.