Influenza & Childhood Vaccinations

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Our staff also offer a safe and friendly environment to access childhood vaccinations and ensure that your families schedule is always up-to-date with current recommendations.

Please phone the practice to book all Immunisation and Vaccination appointments

Which patients are currently provided with a free annual flu vaccine?

In Western Australia, the following groups are eligible to receive free government funded flu vaccinations:

  • People 6 months and older with medical conditions that put them at risk of severe flu;

 

  • Aboriginal people 6 months and older;
  • Pregnant women;
  • Children aged 6 months to less than 5 years; and
  • People 65 years of age and over

In WA, what is the recommendation for the flu vaccine in young children?

It is recommended that all children aged from 6 months to less than 5 years should receive the flu vaccine each year. This is because infants and young children are at increased risk of becoming more unwell if they acquire the flu virus.

What does the flu virus involve?

The flu virus is transmitted via respiratory droplets and can cause a wide spectrum of disease. In adults, it typically involves an abrupt onset and the patient experiences malaise, fevers, chills, headache, anorexia and myalgia, which may be accompanied by a cough, runny nose and sneezing.

In young children, some of these symptoms may be lacking and fevers are often more prominent. Complications of influenza include bronchitis, croup, ear infection, pneumonia as well as less common but serious heart and neurological complications. It tends to occur in outbreaks over winter months.

What are the side effects of the flu vaccine?

About 10% of patients experience fever, muscle aches and malaise after a vaccine and a further 10% experience localised swelling, redness and pain at the site of the vaccine.

Who shouldn’t receive flu vaccines?

Anyone less than 6 months old and anyone who has experienced anaphylaxis following a previous dose of any influenza vaccine.