Swine flu vaccination advice
As summer drawing to an end, the various state governments are now launching a swine flu vaccination drive.
With predictions of the first wave of swine flu hitting Australia before the usual seasonal flu outbreaks would begin, experts all agree that now is the best time for parents to vaccinate themselves and their children against swine flu.
Pregnant women and children under the age of five are particularly vulnerable to the virus:
- Pregnant women and women who had just given birth accounted for 13% of all swine flu-related hospital admissions in 2009
- Children under 5 accounted for 20% of all swine flu-related hospital admissions in 2009.
Based on worldwide trends during the current northern hemisphere winter, the swine flu is likely to be the dominant strain of flu here this coming winter.
Who can have the swine flu vaccination?
The swine flu vaccination is now free and available to everyone over 6 months. Vaccination is particularly recommended if you are:
- Children over 6 months
- Obese with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of more than 35
- A parent or guardian of a child aged 0 - 6 months
- A healthcare worker
- Suffer from a chronic or respiratory disease including heart, renal, kidney, liver and lung disease, asthma, cancer, diabetes, neurological disease.
Currently approximately 80% of the Australian population is not vaccinated against swine flu.
Why are pregnant women a priority for vaccination?
Pregnant women are considered a high risk group for swine flu as there have been cases in Australia and worldwide of pregnant women who have caught swine flu who have miscarried, gone into premature labour and even died.
It is safe to receive the swine flu vaccination at any time during pregnancy and this vaccination will protect you and your baby.
Will the vaccination have any effect on my baby?
The swine flu vaccination will protect you and your unborn baby - if you are vaccinated during pregnancy, your baby will also benefit from the antibodies for the first few months after birth.
Swine flu vaccine and children under 5 years
In December 2009, the Therapeutic Goods Administration approved the Australian-made Panvax H1N1 Vaccine Junior, which now enables children from 6 months to 9 years of age to be protected against the swine flu. These children need to receive two doses of the vaccine given at least 28 days apart to be fully vaccinated.
Related articles on swine flu and immunisation:
- Learn more about swine flu
- Discover how to flu-proof your kids
- Get the facts about vaccination
- You child's immunisation
- Learn more about vaccines
- Create a personalised immunisation schedule for your child
- Understand the Immunisation Register
This article was written by Ella Walsh for Kidspot, Australia's best parenting resource for family health. Sources include ABC News and Qld Govt's Dept of Health.
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