Swine Flu Vaccinations

[Martha]

From late April people will be able to recieve free vaccintation against the pandemic HINI 2009 (swine flu). It is recommended for families to include their children for protection against the flu as many children will be returning to preschool and childcare centres and primary schools where it can be picked up easily. Babies and preschoolers were more prone to catch the flu than any other age group last year.

Australia may have further outbreaks before the end of this winter and the free vaccine is available to anyone. For more information Visit:

http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/factshe.../swineflu.html

(Taken from Advertiser news)

[Gabriella8]

My husband & I had the vaccine last September. I wonder if there's an available vaccine already for toddlers here in Australia?

[Housewife]

Definitely a good idea to get a jab. And as Martha said, it's free . Also I'm reassured that you can't get flu from the jab as it doesn't contain any live virus.

How a vaccine works
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.

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/he...ontent/vaccine

[Martha]

I volunteer at the local hospital (until I get paid work) and they had them on offer all day, so it may not be a wait till the end of April as advertised in the papers.

[Martha]

Well, I had my injection and I must say, it didn't hurt but I got very sick latter in the day and all the night. They say you don't actually get the flu from it as it has no live virus present in the vaccination, but you do get flu like symptoms, which is what I had. A very, very, very, very sore throat. I thought it was going to get worse so had an early night, but it was completely cleared up the next day! Whew! For your state connection:

ACT 02 6205 2300
NT 08 8922 8044
QLD 13432584
SA 08 8226 7177
TAS 1800 671 738
VIC 1300 882 008
WA 08 9321 1312

NSW has local health centres - you need to look them up in the white pages under health.

[Housewife]

Oh dear, hope you're feeling better today Martha. My mother in law has a really sore arm last year when she got the jab but this year she was fine.

[Gabriella8]

just FYI: I've read the ad in our local paper today. Swine Flu vaccine will be given this April by the goverment. Call your local council for schedules and reservation (of the vaccine for you & your kid/s)

[Housewife]

Not suitable for the under 5's: National health authorities have ordered doctors to stop giving seasonal influenza vaccinations to children under five after dozens of serious reactions, including convulsions.

[aussie]

It is quite common to get flu like symptoms following the flu jab. But it's definately a great idea to get the jab, especially when its free.