Influenza vaccine is free for all aboriginal and torres strait islander people aged from six months and older. The aim is to protect people who are more likely to develop complications from flu. Influenza, in immunisation against infectious disease the green book. Healthcare practitioners should refer to the green book influenza chapter.
On average, influenza virus infections cause approximately 36,000 deaths and 148,000 hospitalizations each year in the united states. The flu chapter of the green book has been updated to reflect the latest guidance from the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation in readiness. Influenza vaccine is an annual vaccine that is adjusted each year depending on the strains of influenza predicted for the influenza season, estimated to be 1st september to 31st march. Immunisation is the best possible protection against influenza and the most important way we can reduce the number of flu infections and deaths. Service specifications no seasonal influenza immunisation programme 201516 and no a seasonal influenza immunisation programme for. Elderly people, children under 6 months old, pregnant women, and people with chronic conditions or immunosuppression are at increased risk of complications. More than 90% of influenza related deaths are in people aged 65 years or older. The actual strain varies from year to year and a new immunisation is developed each year to protect against the prevailing strain. Seasonal influenza vaccination 2020 immunisation programs.
Influenza vaccine effectiveness against 2009 pandemic. Governmentfunded influenza vaccines will start to become available from midapril 2019. The flu chapter of the green book has been updated to reflect the latest guidance from the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation in readiness for the 2015 to 2016 influenza season. The influenza chapter in immunisation against infectious disease the green book, which is updated regularly, gives detailed descriptions of the groups outlined above and guidance for healthcare workers on administering the flu vaccine. Using this approach, children aged 6 months through 8 years need only 1 dose of vaccine in 2012 if they have received any of the following. Therefore, influenza antiviral agents and laiv should not be administered concomitantly. Older adults 65 years or older should be routinely offered a single dose of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, if they have not previously received it. Influenza is highly infectious with a usual incubation period of one to three days. It is essential that influenza vaccine in use contain the h and n components of the prevalent strain or. However, vaccination throughout the flu season, even in january or later, is still beneficial. Flu is a highly infectious, acute, viral infection of the respiratory tract. It is transmitted by the inhalation of infected droplets and aerosols and by hand tomoutheye contamination from an infected surface.
Immunisation is one of the biggest health successes of the last century. Routine immunisation schedule wales revised september 2019 welshenglish. Immunisation of young children against influenza evidence. Government supplied influenza immunisations for 2019 are now available. Inactivated influenza vaccine information for healthcare practioners. Eligible groups for free influenza vaccination aboriginal andor torres strait islander children aged 6 months to influenza vaccine for the year 20192020 will be available from all health centres from monday 14th october 2019 to residents in malta. Influenza april 2019 19 influenza the disease influenza is an acute viral infection of the respiratory tract. Green book influenza chapter4 provides information on influenza disease. Current australian immunisation guidelines recommend annual influenza vaccination for anyone who wishes to protect themselves, which includes children aged. Hps website green book chapter on influenza updated. Cdc recommends annual influenza vaccination for everyone 6 months and older with any licensed, influenza vaccine that is appropriate for the recipients age and health status, iiv, riv4. New versions of the vaccines are developed twice a year, as the influenza virus rapidly changes. A series of questions and answers has been developed in response to some frequently asked questions.
Seasonal influenza vaccination programme 20192020 hse. Please read the information below about the 2020 wa influenza immunisation program and protect your patients by opportunistically offering influenza immunisation to all who are eligible for the free vaccine through the national immunisation program. Quadrivalent flu vaccines may be either egggrown or cellbased. For information on the use of influenza vaccines in egg allergic individuals please see the green book influenza chapter. This summary provides comprehensive guidance about influenza immunisation. The potential costeffectiveness of quadrivalent versus. This cks topic is largely based on the chapter on influenza in the public health england phe document immunisation against infectious disease the green book, and the nhs england letter the national flu immunisation programme 201920 nhs england, 2019a. Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is an illness caused by a group of viruses the influenza viruses that infect the respiratory tract. Since the last edition of immunisation against infectious disease the green book, the immunisation programme has seen a number of changes, to both the vaccination schedule and to peoples attitudes to vaccination. Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination uptake in patients.
Epidemiological factors associated with increased odds for influenza included weeks when. It is critical that children at particular risk of severe complications from influenza are vaccinated, including those with. Influenza vaccine treatment summary bnf content published by. When i received the flulaval vaccine on 092817 i had a allergic reaction, my left eye was itching and watering i woke up with swelling in my throat and beneath my tongue was rushed to the e. Use with antiviral agents against influenza there is a potential for influenza antiviral agents to lower the effectiveness of laiv. Inactivated influenza vaccine information for healthcare. Mar 20, 20 the flu chapter of the green book has been updated to reflect the latest guidance from the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation in readiness for the 2015 to 2016 influenza season. Influenza vaccination during pregnancy has been shown to be safe and effective. As a health provider, you are a trusted source of information for your patients. Additionally those outside these age groups with a chronic medical condition that increases the risks from influenza infection are also eligible for example. Influenza a and influenza b are responsible for most clinical illness. Public health significance and occurrence of haemophilus influenzae infections before the introduction of hib vaccine to the routine immunisation schedule in 1993, hib disease was the most common serious invasive bacterial infection in. In choosing a vaccine product, it is important to consider the relative burden of influenza disease caused by the various influenza subtypes i.
Originally published by the stationery office under licence from department of health 2006. The incidence of herpes zoster in people aged 5059 years is higher than people aged sep 18, 2018 influenza is a major cause of morbidity and mortality each year in the uk. The disease is characterised by the sudden onset of fever, chills, headache, myalgia and extreme fatigue. Priority will be given to children under 5 years, persons older than 65 years and persons of any age suffering from chronic diseases of the lungs, heart, liver, kidney, diabetes, and any immunodeficiency conditions, including hiv and aids. Immunisation coalition influenza immunisation coalition. Annual seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for any person aged 6 months and over who wishes to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill with influenza. Salisbury d, ramsay m and noakes k eds 2012 immunisation against infectious disease, london. Feb 26, 2018 on 1921 february 2018 the world health organization who agreed on the recommended composition of the trivalent influenza vaccine for the northern hemisphere 20182019 influenza season.
Influenza infection usually has different symptoms and causes a more severe illness than most other common viral respiratory infections and may be a lifethreatening infection in certain people. Influenza virus infections have also been associated with inflammation of the heart and, brain swelling with liver failure. Jan 02, 2020 the pages listed below offer public health and health care professionals key information about vaccination, infection control, prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of seasonal influenza. Immunisation is a way of protecting against serious diseases. Zoster herpes zoster the australian immunisation handbook. Influenza b virus seems to cause the same spectrum of disease as influenza a, and severe illness can occur with either influenza a or influenza b.
All patients 65 years and over and children under 5 years are eligible for a free government supplied immunisation. Flulaval quadrivalent influenza virus vaccine, inactivated for influenza prophylaxis. The recent updates include changes to the asthma and egg allergy sections and added information on newly licensed influenza vaccines. Influenza immunisation information including updates for public health professionals. Who recommendations for influenza virus vaccine composition. Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is caused by a highly contagious virus that is spread by contact with fluids from coughs and sneezes. Influenza vaccine is free for all infants and children from six months to under five years of age. Every year, the flu causes widespread illness in the community. Inactivated influenza vaccine information for healthcare practitioners.
This treatment summary topic describes influenza vaccine. Vaccines for the national flu immunisation programme 10. Jun 06, 2014 influenza b has two main lineages, victoria and yamagata. Annual influenza vaccination should also be offered. Zoster vaccine is not routinely recommended for adults aged 5059 years. The national influenza immunisation programme 2019 to 2020. Influenza vaccines, also known as flu shots or flu jabs, are vaccines that protect against infection by influenza viruses. Based on 8 controlled assessments, anj76 h1n1 influenza vaccine associated with increased risk of gbs in adults rr of 7. The australian immunisation handbook recommends influenza. Immunisation internet is a life course event and people of all ages benefit from immunisation, some people have a need for immunisations to protect their health in work, due to their lifestyle, or health condition, or if travelling. Influenza vaccine can be given at the same time as pertussis vaccination ideally at 28 weeks but may be given earlier, and should not be delayed if the winter influenza season has begun or is imminent. Vaccination has been available since the late 1960s. Immunity and how vaccines work immunisation against. Phe influenza immunisation policy phedhdwp guideline.
Prevention and control of seasonal influenza with vaccines. Canadian immunization guide chapter on influenza and. Immunity is the ability of the human body to protect itself from infectious disease. Feb 18, 2020 the flu jab seasonal influenza immunisation seasonal influenza is the strain of influenza virus that arrives in the uk each autumn. Once we have been immunised, our bodies are better able to fight these diseases if we come into contact with them. These recommendations are based on the public health england phe chapters on influenza and contraindications and special considerations in immunisation against infectious disease the green book, the phe guidance the national childhood flu immunisation programme 201920. Nhs england annual flu immunisation plan and letter 201516.
It is offered annually to patients aged over 65 years, and to all those aged between 6 months and 65 years in clinical atrisk groups identified by the department of health dh. The national immunisation advisory committee has updated the influenza chapter chapter 11 in their immunisation guidelines for ireland as follows. Special risk groups are eligible to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine for free under the national immunisation program nip. Influenza is usually self limiting in healthy individuals, with recovery in 37 days. Programme dates the 2020 funded influenza immunisation programme runs from 18 march through 31 december in 2020 funded influenza vaccine administered to eligible individuals aged 6 months or older can be claimed from 18 march 2020. The national flu immunisation programme 201920 nhs england. The australian immunisation handbook 1 recommends influenza vaccination for anyone aged. Contraindications and special considerations as a precaution, if an individual has a history of severe i. The incubation period can be one to five days average two to three days.