SENIORS aged over 65 can be vaccinated against the flu for free.
Both Fluad and Fluzone High Dose were listed through the National Immunisation Program after the jabs were recommended by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.
Both vaccines trigger a stronger autoimmune response in seniors, helping to protect them against three flu strains, including two types of influenza A.
About 56,000 flu cases were reported in Queensland last year, which was double the number reported in the previous season.
Data suggests more than 55 per cent of cases were caused by one type of Influenza A, which proved most fatal to those aged 65 and over.
Lower vaccine effectiveness meant more people were also left vulnerable.
Of the up to 1100 people who died from flu-related causes, about 91 per cent were those aged 65 and over.
Australian Medical Association Queensland branch vice president Jim Finn encouraged seniors to take advantage of the free vaccines.
The jabs do not protect a fourth flu strain but Dr Finn said it was better for the elderly to be properly protected against the most common three strains.
“The new vaccines are only trivalent but it is considered that the improved protection involving the three included strains outweigh the missing fourth strain,” he said.
“The higher dose vaccine is more protective than the standard dose vaccine where H3N2 is the predominant circulating strain, as it was last year.”
He also encouraged parents to get their children, including babies, vaccinated.
He said a boosted herd immunity could help better protect at-risk groups.
About 2440 flu cases have already been reported since the beginning of the year, which is about 100 more than this time last year.
Bowman MP Andrew Laming said the federal government’s move to list the two vaccines tailored for seniors with the NIP was aimed at preventing another horror-flu season.
“This is the our direct response to last year’s horrific flu season and is aimed squarely at saving lives,” he said.
“We must continue to do all we can to protect those Australians who are most at risk.”
Health Minister Greg Hunt urged all Australians aged from six months to be vaccinated before June.
He said free flu jabs were also available to pregnant women, those who suffered from chronic conditions and most Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“Vaccination saves lives and they are fundamental to our health system,” Mr Hunt said.
“We encourage all Australians aged over six months old to get a flu vaccination this year before we reach the peak season in June."
For more information about the National Immunisation Program Schedule, visit here.
Diminished potency
The National Influenza Surveillance Committee has suggested several factors contributed to last year’s reduced vaccine potency, including flu virus mutations.
“Factors potentially contributing to the lower vaccine effectiveness include the genetic diversity of the dominant A strains currently circulating, the higher proportion of elderly affected … (and) ongoing problems with identifying suitable A vaccine candidates,” a NISC statement read.
“There are persistent problems with A ... vaccine viruses which, when propagated in eggs, rapidly acquire adaptive changes which alter antigenicity.”
Circulating southern hemisphere strains
- A(H1N1): an A/Michigan/45/2015(H1N1) pdm09 like virus
- A(H3N2): an A/Singapore/INFIMH-16-0019/2016(H3N2) like virus
- B: a B/Phuket/3073/2013 like virus
- B: a B/Brisbane/60/2008 like virus – included in quadrivalent flu vaccines.
