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Flu is a highly contagious viral infection that can cause widespread illness and deaths every year.
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Influenza is a very contagious infection of the airways affecting people of all ages. Although it can be a mild disease, it can also cause very serious illness in otherwise healthy people.
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Vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect you from serious disease caused by the flu.
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By getting vaccinated against the flu virus, you can also help protect other people, especially people who are too sick or too young to be vaccinated. The more people who are vaccinated in your community, the less likely the disease will spread.
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Annual immunisation is recommended as the influenza virus is constantly changing, and the vaccine changes accordingly.
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Getting vaccinated in autumn is recommended. This provides protection in time for the peak flu season (usually in winter in most parts of Australia). However, it is never too late to vaccinate since it can circulate in the community all year round.
How the flu vaccine works
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Flu viruses change every year because the flu virus has a unique ability to change its surface structure. This means that even if you had the flu or an immunisation one year, your body’s immune system might be unable to fight the changed version of the virus that will be circulating the following year.
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Each year, a new vaccine is developed (usually called the seasonal flu vaccine) and is available for those who wish to be immunised. The seasonal flu vaccine includes protection against four strains of influenza viruses.
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The flu vaccine cannot give you the flu because it does not contain live virus. Some people may still contract the flu because the vaccine may not always protect against all strains of the influenza virus circulating in the community.
If you have any questions or concerns, always speak to your doctor.
