Flu Vaccinations
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PATIENT ALERT!
If you have travelled internationally and recently arrived to Australia;
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Have had close contact with someone diagnosed or suspected to have COVID-19;
We kindly request that you do not visit our Pharmacy store, or make a booking until you have tested negative for COVID-19.
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Due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the pharmacy is taking measures to protect the community. It is vital that their instructions are followed.
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Only one parent/guardian should accompany a child for vaccination.
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People should not attend for vaccination if they or their child have symptoms of a respiratory infection (such as fever, or a sore throat, or a runny nose, or shortness of breath or a cough) or have returned from overseas in the past 14 days.
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Wash hands or use hand sanitiser provided at the entrance to the reception or waiting area.
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Social distancing of at least 1.5 m must be observe when in store.
*The National Immunisation Program provides free vaccines to those most at risk, including:
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pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy;
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all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged six months and older;
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people aged 65 years and older;
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people aged six months and older with certain medical risk factors; and
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for the first time, all children aged between six months and five years.
This is available through your GP or community clinic; please visit Department of Health or speak to your GP for more information.
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Annual influenza vaccination is recommended before the influenza season starts. Influenza circulation usually peaks between June and September in most parts of Australia. However, influenza can occur year-round, especially in tropical areas. People can receive influenza vaccine from the time the vaccine becomes available, typically in March or April. The exact timing can vary from year to year. Protection is expected to last for the whole season, but optimal protection is within the first 3– 4 months after vaccination. Deferring vaccination to the beginning of winter may result in greater immunity later in the season, but may also result in missed opportunities for vaccination and lack of protection if the influenza season starts early. We encourage you to discuss with your pharmacist the most suitable time for you to be vaccinated and to weigh up these factors for each person. Vaccination can be done throughout the influenza season. It is never too late to vaccinate, because influenza can circulate all year. In particular, pregnant women and travellers can benefit from vaccination at any time of the year.
The National Immunisation Program provides free vaccine to those at risk and these are available from your GP and through pharmacists in Victoria (though a consultation fee may apply). Those at high risk of contracting or having complications from the flu including:
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pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy;
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all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged six months and older;
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people aged 65 years and older;
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people aged six months and older with certain medical risk factors; and
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for the first time, all children aged between six months and five years.
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About this service.
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We’re committed to protecting you and your family from the spread of the influenza virus. This flu season, we can vaccinate adults and children aged 10 years or over at our in store EasyClinic located centrally on Gray St making it even easier to protect you and your family.
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It's not worth the risk.
Influenza (usually called ‘the flu’ for short) is a common and highly contagious virus. The flu affects your respiratory system (nose, throat and lungs), and symptoms you’ll experience can include:
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fever
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cough
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sore throat
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fatigue
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muscle aches
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headaches, and
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nose, throat and lung congestion.
It’s important to note that the flu is not the same as the common cold, even though they may share some symptoms. The flu is a serious illness that can lead to complications and sometimes hospitalisation.
Can I get a flu vaccination?
People aged 10 years or over can be vaccinated at our in store EasyClinic. This includes people who are most 'at risk' who wish to be vaccinated under the Australian Government’s National Immunisation Program* (subject to vaccine availability).
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What to expect:
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Book your flu vaccination by contacting our store via email or phone​
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Attend your appointment
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Fill out a quick pre-vaccination questionnaire
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Follow the instructions of your Pharmacist during this time
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Receive your vaccination and a printed or digital confirmation statement
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After your appointment wait for a 15-minute observation period
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2021 Strains
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Government-funded influenza vaccine for people aged 65 years and over in 2021
Fluad® Quad is the only vaccine that is recommended for people aged 65 years and over in 2021.
Influenza virus strains included in the 2021 Southern Hemisphere influenza vaccines
The influenza virus strains included in the 2021 government-funded (egg-based) influenza vaccines in Australia are:
• A/Victoria/2570/2019 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus;
• A/Hong Kong/2671/2019 (H3N2)-like virus;
• B/Washington/02/2019-like (B/Victoria lineage) virus; and
• B/Phuket/3073/2013-like (B/Yamagata lineage) virus.
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How much does a flu vaccination cost?
Please check with our staff for the current cost price of the fluvaccination for those aged 10-64 years that are not eligible under the Australian Government’s National Immunisation Program*.
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Those 'at risk' group, including people aged 65 years and older that are eligible can be vaccinated at the pharmacy under the Australian Government’s National Immunisation Program (subject to vaccine availability). A $10 pharmacy consultation fee applies.
If you are eligible for a free flu vaccination under the National Immunisation Program* you can also visit your GP. It’s important to note that while the vaccine itself is free, your GP may charge a consultation fee.
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