NPS’ flu vaccine warning
April 13, 2012
THE NPS is encouraging health
professionals to offer patients a flu
vaccine this flu season, particularly
those at risk, including those with
pre-existing medical conditions,
such as chronic lung and heart
disease, the elderly and pregnant
women.
The NPS’s stance echoes calls by
the Chief Medical Officer and the
Royal Australian College of General
Practitioners in relation to general
populace inoculation.
“In Australia there are on average
85 deaths and over 4,000
hospitalisations recorded due to
influenza illness each year,” said
NPS Head of Programs, Karen Kaye.
“Health professionals should let
their patients know that despite
there being no new strains of
influenza identified in 2012, people
who were vaccinated in 2011 still
need to be vaccinated this year to
ensure continuing protection,” she
added.
One cravat to the NPS’
recommendation however, is that
health professionals be vigilant in
terms of the choice of vaccine
used.
“Previous concerns about
influenza vaccination side effects
have been fully investigated and
the recommendations for the 2012
influenza season have taken these
into account,” Kaye said.
“Selecting the appropriate
vaccine will ensure patient
confidence,” she added.
New recommendations for 2012,
according to Kaye, indicate that
Fluvax must not be administered to
children under the age of 5 and
should only be used in children
between 5 and 10 if one of the
other alternative vaccines is not
readily available.
Other recommended vaccines
(Agrippal, Fluarix, Influvac and
Vaxigrip) may be used in anyone
over 6 months.
In addition to selecting the right
vaccine, NPS has urged health
professionals to advise patients
receiving influenza vaccines that
they may experience mild
reactions, such as redness and
swelling at the injection site, but if
they are worried they should
contact their doctor.
For more info see
www.nps.org.au/
health_professionals/vaccines.
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