The flu is a highly contagious respiratory infection which spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The flu is more than the common cold. Some may have mild disease, but others are restricted to bed for a week or more, unable to work or care for their family. For some, flu can cause severe illness, hospitalisation and life-threatening complications. Those more at risk of serious disease are babies, people aged over 65 years, people with underlying illnesses and pregnant women.

Alive Pharmacy Warehouse is proud to offer the flu vaccination! Here you can find out all the information you need for your upcoming vaccination.

The flu is a highly contagious respiratory infection which spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The flu is more than the common cold. Some may have mild disease, but others are restricted to bed for a week or more, unable to work or care for their family. For some, flu can cause severe illness, hospitalisation and life-threatening complications. Those more at risk of serious disease are babies, people aged over 65 years, people with underlying illnesses and pregnant women.

Symptoms of the flu vary widely. Some people have mild disease whilst others can be very ill and require hospitalisation.
The most common symptoms of the flu include:

- Sudden appearance of a high fever (38c or more)

- Body aches (particularly in the head, lower back and legs)

- Chills

- Extreme weakness and tiredness

- A dry cough

- Loss of appetite

- Sore throat

- Runny/stuffy nose

The flu can lead to other complications, such as sinus or ear infections, or more severe issues such as pneumonia, inflammation of the heart (myocarditis), brain (encephalitis) or muscle tissues (myositis, rhabdomyolysis).

Colds and flu are both caused by viruses and have some overlapping symptoms but differ in the appearance, duration and severity of symptoms.

Colds come on gradually over a few days and are milder with more nasal symptoms such as a stuffy or runny nose and sneezing. Symptoms generally last a few days to a week (but can last longer).

The flu generally comes on quickly and can be severe causing high fever, muscle aches, shivering and extreme exhaustion. Symptoms generally last one to two weeks.

The flu can cause serious complications, particularly in children, the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions, which is why the flu is a more serious concern than the common cold.

The flu is a highly contagious viral infection that is spread by contact with respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Direct contact with these fluids into the nose, mouth or eyes or indirect contact via contaminated surfaces (e.g. table tops, door handles, pens, cups etc.) can cause a person to become infected with the flu.

There are a range of preventative measures to reduce the risk of getting and spreading the flu:

- Annual immunisation in autumn each year (March to May) prior to the peak of the flu season.

- Good hand hygiene, including regular and thorough hand washing with soap or hand sanitiser to reduce the spread of the virus.

- Coughing etiquette, including the use of a tissue to cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing, and disposing of the tissue immediately. If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow. After coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose, ensure appropriate hand washing or hand sanitiser techniques are followed.

- Stay at home while you are unwell. In particular, avoid going to work or school or visiting busy public places.

- Avoid sharing linens, eating utensils and dishes.

Annual immunisation is the most effective way to reduce the risk of getting the flu and reduce the spread of the virus in the community. Therefore, getting a flu immunisation helps protect you and those who are more vulnerable to severe complications associated with the flu. The flu immunisation service is available at participating Alive Pharmacy Warehouse pharmacies for people over the age of 10 years. 

Annual immunisation is recommended for everyone over 6 months of age. Immunisation gives you the best protection available against the flu, and reduces spread of the disease to your family, friends, and vulnerable people in the community.

Some people are at higher risk of severe complications associated with the flu. Annual immunisation is even more important for these groups and people in contact with these groups.

Immunisation against the flu is not appropriate for people who:

- have had a serious allergy (such as anaphylaxis) from a previous flu vaccine.

- have had a serious allergy (such as anaphylaxis) to a component of the flu vaccine.

- are unwell (with a temperature over 38.5c) at the time of their appointment

- are aged under 6 months.

If any of the above apply to you, please speak with your pharmacist or doctor.

If you have a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome or anaphylaxis to eggs, it is recommended that you discuss your vaccinations before booking with your pharmacist or healthcare provider.

It generally takes two to three weeks for the vaccine to become effective and the body to develop immunity after immunisation.

Most people should receive 1 dose of flu vaccine each year. However, the following people should receive 2 doses, 4 weeks apart:

- Children aged between 6 months and 9 years receiving a flu vaccine for the first time.

- People of any age receiving a flu vaccine for the first time after haematopoietic stem cell or solid organ transplant.

It is important to have the flu immunisation every year because:

- The virus is constantly changing, and the vaccine changes every year to ensure protection against the most recent and common circulating strains.

- Your immune protection from the flu immunisation declines over time.

Flu vaccines can vary with regard to:

- Indicated age that the vaccine can be administered.

All flu vaccines registered for use by the TGA in 2021 contain 4 strains of the flu virus. Alive Pharmacy Warehouse uses the quadrivalent (4 strain) vaccine for the flu immunisation service.

An enhanced version of the quadrivalent vaccine is available for people aged 65 years or older. This vaccine is designed to increase the immune system’s response to the vaccine and cover against the strains more common and severe in older people. The vaccine is only accessible through the National Immunisation Program. People aged 65 years or older should speak with their pharmacist or doctor prior to booking a flu immunisation.

You can get your flu immunisation at a range of immunisation providers including your local Alive Pharmacy Warehouse or other pharmacy or doctor’s clinic.

At Alive Pharmacy Warehouse, we use the quadrivalent flu vaccine. The quadrivalent vaccine includes the four most recent and common circulating strains of the flu virus, providing you with the best protection available this winter

The flu vaccine may help to protect against the flu, however the vaccine is not 100% effective, and effectiveness can vary from year to year and amongst different patient groups.

The flu virus is constantly changing, and the vaccine changes every year to ensure protection against the most recent and common circulating strains.

The formulation of flu vaccines used in Australia is determined each year by the Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee (AIVC) based on information and recommendations from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

An enhanced version of the quadrivalent flu vaccine (commonly known as the 'super vaccine') is available for people aged 65 years or older. This vaccine is designed to increase the immune system's response to the vaccine and cover against the strains more common and severe in older people. The vaccine is only accessible through the National Immunisation Program. People aged 65 years or older should speak with their pharmacist or doctor prior to booking a flu immunisation.

Side effects of the flu vaccine are generally mild. They may start a few hours after vaccination and generally last less than 1-2days. Side effects may include:

- Localised pain, redness and swelling at the injection site.

- A small, hard lump (nodule) at the injection site (can last 1 - 2 weeks)

- Drowsiness or tiredness

- Muscle aches

- A low grade temperature (fever), which may be managed with paracetamol.

Very rarely, more serious side effects can occur following administration of the flu vaccine. They can include hives, angioedema and anaphylaxis.

If you are concerned that your side effects are severe or persistent please contact your GP, visit your nearest hospital emergency department or call '000' immediately.

The flu vaccine is Category A in pregnancy, which means the vaccine is considered safe to use in pregnant women.

The National Immunisation Program (NIP) strongly recommends flu immunisation for women who are pregnant or breast-feeding as it may help provide protection against the flu for the mother and the baby in early infancy. The NIP provides free flu vaccine to pregnant women. Not all pharmacies have access to these free vaccines. It is recommended that you speak with your pharmacist or doctor prior to making your appointment.

The Australian Immunisation Handbook Influenza information available here

The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) Influenza Vaccine Fact Sheet available here

The World Health Organisation (WHO) Influenza fact sheet available here

The World Health Organisation (WHO) - Hand Hygiene: Why, How & When? available here

Better Health Channel (Victorian State Government) Flu information available here