Swine Flu. Get Vaccinated

Fact sheet courtesy of Department of Health and Ageing

A FREE vaccine to protect all Australians from pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus is available. The vaccine is approved for use in young children (from six months of age) as well as adults.

There is clear evidence of serious or fatal health complications for some people who catch this flu. It is a new strain of flu that spreads easily from person to person, and experience in other countries shows that this is not just a winter flu - it could come back during spring and summer.

Vaccination is the safest response for the community, particularly as large numbers of people continue to be infected, and some are suffering serious health complications. By getting vaccinated you can protect yourself and help stop this flu spreading.

How does the vaccine work?

Panvax® H1N1 Vaccine contains extracts of protein from the new flu strain. Once you get vaccinated, proteins prompt your body to produce antibodies to protect you from the virus.

Protection after vaccination varies from person to person, but people generally start producing the antibodies that provide protection two weeks after the vaccination. Protection is expected to last for at least one year.

This vaccine does not contain live virus and cannot give you influenza.

Are there groups of people who should get immediate vaccination?

All people can get vaccinated but some people are more at risk of severe outcomes if they catch this flu. Vaccination is strongly recommended for:

• Pregnant women
• Parents and guardians of infants up to six months old
• People with underlying chronic conditions, including:
• • heart disease;
  • asthma and other lung diseases;
  • cancer;
  • diabetes;
  • kidney disease;
  • neurological disease;
  • other chronic conditions (talk to your GP)
• People who are severely obese
• Indigenous Australians
• Frontline health workers
• Community care workers

Why are children now being offered vaccination against pandemic H1N1 influenza?

The pandemic influenza vaccine, Panvax H1N1 vaccine, made by CSL, has been available in Australia since 30 September 2009 for administration to anyone aged 10 years and over.

The Panvax vaccine has undergone a rigorous Australian clinical trial in children over the past three months. The clinical trial data have been evaluated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and reviewed by the expert Australian Drug Evaluation Committee (ADEC) and has now been determined to be safe and effective for use in children aged 6 months to 9 years.

The vaccine is now approved for use in children aged 6 months to 9 years and is being made available around Australia.

Why should my children be vaccinated now against pandemic influenza? Isn't the outbreak over in Australia?

While the number of cases of pandemic influenza in Australia has waned in late spring, the disease is still a major threat to Australia. The number of cases and deaths from this disease being seen now in the northern hemisphere is increasing and it is highly likely, with the influx of overseas visitors to Australia over the summer months, that some arrivals will be infected with the pandemic influenza strain. Therefore it is important that Australians afford themselves the best possible protection from this virus by being vaccinated now.

In addition it is highly possible that Australia's 2010 influenza season will begin much earlier in autumn, as has occurred in the northern hemisphere in 2009.

Should some children not be given the vaccine?

Children aged under 6 months should not get the vaccine as it is not registered for use in children under this age. Very young babies do not develop a good level of immunity after influenza vaccination.

Children should not be given Panvax® H1N1 vaccine or any other influenza vaccines if they:

• have experienced anaphylaxis, a severe form of a generalised allergic reaction, following a previous dose of any influenza vaccine;
• have experienced anaphylaxis following receipt of any vaccine component, including neomycin or polymyxin antibiotics; or
• have a severe allergy to eggs, including children who have experienced swelling of the lips or tongue, or had acute breathing problems or convulsions, after eating eggs.

Children with milder forms of egg allergy may be able to be vaccinated and should talk to their health care provider about the vaccine.

Children who are moderately or severely ill with a fever should usually wait until they recover before getting the vaccine. Children with a mild illness can usually get the vaccine.

What are the expected side effects from the children's vaccine?

The expected level of side effects from the children's vaccine is the same as for the adult vaccine. The vast majority of vaccinations occur without any side effects. Every year in Australia millions of influenza vaccines are administered, yet in the five years from 2004 to 2008, only 655 suspected adverse reactions to those vaccinations were reported to the TGA. The vast majority of these reactions are minor.

All medicines and vaccines can have unwanted side-effects. It is common (around one in 10 people) with influenza vaccines to have some swelling, redness and/or pain where the injection is given. Other symptoms such as fever, tiredness, headaches and muscle aches are less common. These side-effects can start within a few hours of vaccination and may last for one to two days.

The most common side effects are easily treated at home, such as a cold compress to relieve soreness at the injection site or paracetamol for a mild fever or headache. Do not give children medicines containing aspirin.

Allergic reactions are uncommon after vaccination, but can be severe in some people. These reactions are due to an allergy to egg protein or to other components of the vaccine, including the antibiotics neomycin and polymyxin, which are in the vaccine in small amounts.

Some allergic reactions can happen within 15 minutes of vaccination, so it is important that you wait in the surgery or clinic for this time so that you can be observed.

The vaccine will continue to be monitored for safety. Any reports of adverse events (side effects) will be investigated.

If I am travelling overseas soon, should I and my children be vaccinated before we leave Australia?

Absolutely. It is important that you and your children be vaccinated before travelling overseas, particularly to the northern hemisphere where increased pandemic influenza activity has been seen.

See your doctor or immunisation provider for specific advice.

Where do I get vaccinated? How do I get this vaccine?

Vaccinations are available from a range of locations, including GP offices, vaccination clinics, hospitals and health centres.

Information on the vaccination program is available through local pharmacies and GP surgeries as well as via www.healthemergency.gov.au or call the Pandemic Hotline on 180 2007.

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