Territorians are being urged to protect themselves against the flu (influenza) this season with vaccinations available through your GP, community clinic or pharmacy.

Anyone can get influenza and the infection can be serious even in healthy people. 

Influenza vaccine is available on the National immunisation Program for all eligible people.  

People not eligible for the funded vaccine can purchase the vaccine through their GP or pharmacy. 

The influenza vaccine is FREE for the following:  

• All children aged 6 months to 5 years

• All Aboriginal people aged 6 months and over.

• People aged 65 years and older.

• Pregnant women during any stage of pregnancy

• People aged 6 months and over with conditions predisposing them to complications from influenza.

Everyone who wants to protect themselves from influenza is encouraged to be vaccinated. If more people are vaccinated, less disease will circulate and the number of hospitalisations and deaths from influenza infection will decrease.  

The influenza vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine. It does not contain any live virus, so people cannot catch influenza from having the vaccine. 

It does take about 2 weeks after vaccination, however, for the body to develop its protection against influenza. 

Treatment for influenza includes rest, increased fluid and pain relief and antiviral treatment can be considered.  

Adults are infectious from the day prior to and up to 7 days after the onset of symptoms while children may remain infectious for 10 days. 

Community pharmacists who have completed specific training are able to administer vaccinations for adults.

Community pharmacies, with their ease of access and long opening hours, increase coverage and complement other vaccination providers like GP’s and nurses. 

Quotes from the Minister for Health, Natasha Fyles:

 “Vaccination is especially important for people at higher risk of serious influenza complications and for people who live with or care for high risk individuals including health care workers and those working in aged care facilities, but I encourage everyone to be vaccinated.”

“While the flu is a common illness it’s important to remember infections can be serious even for healthy people.”

“Being able to get a flu shot at your pharmacy greatly assists the community’s access to protection against the flu.”

Media contact: Rob Cross 0439 778 095