16 July 2010

Chief Health Officer Renews Calls For Influenza Vaccination

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant today made a renewed call for people to obtain an influenza vaccination.

NSW Health Survey data from June shows around 40% of the community had already been vaccinated.

Dr Chant said monitoring indicated that while influenza activity was still at low levels we are starting to see cases presenting to hospital and with the beginning of flu activity expect it to escalate in the coming weeks.

“We have been very happy with the response from the community to get vaccinated with either the pandemic H1N1 vaccine or the seasonal influenza vaccine which also protects against the pandemic strain,” Dr Chant said.

“For people who have not yet been vaccinated, now is the best opportunity to get the vaccine before influenza takes off. 

It takes time for the vaccine to work so it’s best not to leave it to the last minute.”

Dr Chant said pregnant women remain at risk and are strongly encouraged to get the vaccine.

“Women in this category can also help protect their baby by being vaccinated and by encouraging people who will be helping to care for their baby to be vaccinated.”

Those considered more vulnerable to the flu include:

• People with underlying chronic medical conditions, including heart and lung disease, cancers, HIV, asthma and diabetes;
• People who are morbidly obese;
• Indigenous people;
• Pregnant women

Parents should note that the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer, Professor Jim Bishop, advised in June that as a precaution, the suspension of seasonal flu vaccination should continue for healthy children under five years of age.

This comes after consideration of the results to date of a comprehensive investigation into the safety of the seasonal flu vaccine for young children. 

For further information about flu vaccination for children under five years of age, go to http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/mr-yr10-dept-dept010610.htm

For a range of health information about flu and how to prevent it, go online to http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/PublicHealth/Infectious/influenza/index.asp