Influenza (flu) and pneumococcal vaccines are recommended for older people and those with a serious underlying medical condition. These people are more likely to become seriously ill or die from these diseases. Flu viruses change every year and require a new vaccine to be developed and given each year. The pneumococcal vaccine does not change.
Immunisation can prevent serious complications and death
The flu and pneumococcal vaccines may not always prevent disease from developing but they significantly reduce the risk of complications. Some of these complications can include:
* Flu – pneumonia and worsening of other existing conditions.
* Pneumococcal – pneumonia, septicaemia (blood infection) and meningitis (inflammation of the brain).
Two pneumococcal vaccines are available
The risk of infection in young children, especially in children younger than two years, can be substantially reduced with a vaccine called Prevenar. The vaccine Pneumovax 23 will protect all other age groups. These vaccines are available to all Victorians, but are provided free of charge for some people at increased risk.
People who should receive flu and pneumococcal vaccines
Both the flu and pneumococcal vaccines are recommended and provided free of charge for people at increased risk including:
* Everyone aged 65 years or older
* Kooris and Torres Strait Islanders aged between 15 and 49 years with health risks
* Kooris and Torres Strait Islanders aged 50 years or older
* All public hospital outpatients and inpatients with high risk factors
* Public hospital staff who provide direct care to patients (flu vaccine only).
Other people who should receive both vaccines include:
* Adults and children with chronic diseases such as heart disorders, diabetes, kidney disorders, asthma and chronic respiratory disorders
* Public hospital staff who provide direct care to patients (flu vaccine only).
* People with immune deficiency from illness or medication (including long-term steroids)
* Residents in nursing homes or other chronic care facilities
* Staff in private hospitals, long-term care facilities or nursing homes (flu vaccine only)
* People who live with or care for someone who has chronic illness or is aged (flu vaccine only)
* Tobacco smokers.
Pregnancy and vaccination
Flu vaccine is recommended for women planning a pregnancy and for pregnant women who will be in the second or third trimester during the influenza season, including those in the first trimester at the time of vaccination.
Pneumococcal vaccination is not recommended for pregnant women.
When the vaccines should be given
The vaccination schedule is:
* Flu vaccine
- between March and May each year.
* Pneumococcal vaccine
- the vaccine is free for all infants at two, four and six months of age and for children less than five years of age with certain medical risk factors. These children need extra doses of pneumococcal vaccine at 12 months and at four to five years of age. The vaccine is recommended but not funded for children between five and ten years of age with certain medical risk factors. The vaccine is free for adults classed as being at high risk. While pneumococcal immunisation can be done at any time of year, it is good to be protected before winter starts. It will protect you for five years.
When the vaccines should not be given
The vaccines should not be given during an acute illness with fever.
Flu vaccine
The flu vaccine should not be given if you have an anaphylactic allergy to eggs because the virus used in the vaccine is grown in eggs.
Pneumococcal vaccine
The pneumococcal vaccine should not be given:
* If you have had an anaphylactic reaction in the past after having the vaccine
* If you have received the vaccine within the last three years
* If you are pregnant.
Flu vaccine side effects
The flu vaccine can cause a range of side effects.
Common side effects include:
* Pain, redness and swelling at the injection site
* Low-grade fever
* Muscle aches
* Drowsiness or tiredness.
Severe side effects include:
Swelling of the airway and urticaria (itchy wheals on the skin) – this is rare.
In 1976 a swine influenza vaccine produced in the United States was associated with an increased frequency of Guillain-Barre syndrome in the elderly. More recent formulations have not shown any association.
Pneumococcal vaccine side effects
Pneumococcal vaccine can cause a range of side effects.
Common side effects include:
* Redness or mild pain at the injection site – this affects about half those vaccinated
* Low-grade fever
* Sleepiness
* Irritability.
Severe side effects include:
* Swelling of the airway – this is rare.
Where to get help
* Your doctor or local council immunisation service
* Nurse-on-Call Tel. 1300 606 024 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)
* Your local community health centre
* Immunisation Program, Department of Human Services Victoria Tel. 1300 882 008
* The emergency department of your nearest hospital
Things to remember
* Older and unwell people should receive the flu and pneumococcal vaccines.
* The vaccines are free to anyone aged 65 years and older.
* The vaccines rarely cause serious side effects.
The flu and pneumococcal vaccines may not always prevent disease from developing but they significantly reduce the risk of complications. Some of these complications can include:
* Flu – pneumonia and worsening of other existing conditions.
* Pneumococcal – pneumonia, septicaemia (blood infection) and meningitis (inflammation of the brain).
Two pneumococcal vaccines are available
The risk of infection in young children, especially in children younger than two years, can be substantially reduced with a vaccine called Prevenar. The vaccine Pneumovax 23 will protect all other age groups. These vaccines are available to all Victorians, but are provided free of charge for some people at increased risk.
People who should receive flu and pneumococcal vaccines
Both the flu and pneumococcal vaccines are recommended and provided free of charge for people at increased risk including:
* Everyone aged 65 years or older
* Kooris and Torres Strait Islanders aged between 15 and 49 years with health risks
* Kooris and Torres Strait Islanders aged 50 years or older
* All public hospital outpatients and inpatients with high risk factors
* Public hospital staff who provide direct care to patients (flu vaccine only).
Other people who should receive both vaccines include:
* Adults and children with chronic diseases such as heart disorders, diabetes, kidney disorders, asthma and chronic respiratory disorders
* Public hospital staff who provide direct care to patients (flu vaccine only).
* People with immune deficiency from illness or medication (including long-term steroids)
* Residents in nursing homes or other chronic care facilities
* Staff in private hospitals, long-term care facilities or nursing homes (flu vaccine only)
* People who live with or care for someone who has chronic illness or is aged (flu vaccine only)
* Tobacco smokers.
Pregnancy and vaccination
Flu vaccine is recommended for women planning a pregnancy and for pregnant women who will be in the second or third trimester during the influenza season, including those in the first trimester at the time of vaccination.
Pneumococcal vaccination is not recommended for pregnant women.
When the vaccines should be given
The vaccination schedule is:
* Flu vaccine
- between March and May each year.
* Pneumococcal vaccine
- the vaccine is free for all infants at two, four and six months of age and for children less than five years of age with certain medical risk factors. These children need extra doses of pneumococcal vaccine at 12 months and at four to five years of age. The vaccine is recommended but not funded for children between five and ten years of age with certain medical risk factors. The vaccine is free for adults classed as being at high risk. While pneumococcal immunisation can be done at any time of year, it is good to be protected before winter starts. It will protect you for five years.
When the vaccines should not be given
The vaccines should not be given during an acute illness with fever.
Flu vaccine
The flu vaccine should not be given if you have an anaphylactic allergy to eggs because the virus used in the vaccine is grown in eggs.
Pneumococcal vaccine
The pneumococcal vaccine should not be given:
* If you have had an anaphylactic reaction in the past after having the vaccine
* If you have received the vaccine within the last three years
* If you are pregnant.
Flu vaccine side effects
The flu vaccine can cause a range of side effects.
Common side effects include:
* Pain, redness and swelling at the injection site
* Low-grade fever
* Muscle aches
* Drowsiness or tiredness.
Severe side effects include:
Swelling of the airway and urticaria (itchy wheals on the skin) – this is rare.
In 1976 a swine influenza vaccine produced in the United States was associated with an increased frequency of Guillain-Barre syndrome in the elderly. More recent formulations have not shown any association.
Pneumococcal vaccine side effects
Pneumococcal vaccine can cause a range of side effects.
Common side effects include:
* Redness or mild pain at the injection site – this affects about half those vaccinated
* Low-grade fever
* Sleepiness
* Irritability.
Severe side effects include:
* Swelling of the airway – this is rare.
Where to get help
* Your doctor or local council immunisation service
* Nurse-on-Call Tel. 1300 606 024 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)
* Your local community health centre
* Immunisation Program, Department of Human Services Victoria Tel. 1300 882 008
* The emergency department of your nearest hospital
Things to remember
* Older and unwell people should receive the flu and pneumococcal vaccines.
* The vaccines are free to anyone aged 65 years and older.
* The vaccines rarely cause serious side effects.