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| Flu Vaccination In Everyone’s Interest |
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TWO senior hospital and public health doctors are urging Eastern Shore residents to start taking the flu seriously, and have a yearly flu vaccination. Director of Public Health, Dr Roscoe Taylor and Royal Hobart Hospital chief executive Dr Craig White are urging their fellow health care workers to join them in setting an example for the rest of the community. Dr Taylor said vaccination could make a huge difference to community health and wellbeing. Dr White said a simple flu injection will help to relieve the annual winter-spring peak in the number of patients needing a hospital bed and help keep our staff well. Influenza is different to and worse than the common cold, sinus infections and bronchitis. Symptoms include fever, headache, sore throat, cough, general fatigue and muscle aches and pains which can be severe. “The flu is largely vaccine preventable, yet each year it causes around 1,500 deaths and 80,000 GP visits across Australia,” Dr Taylor said. “All Tasmanians owe a duty to the community to consider having the flu vaccine. “Influenza is very contagious and an infected person can spread the virus to others even before their own symptoms start. “People over the age of 65 and those with chronic illness are particularly at risk of developing complications – like pneumonia - if they get the flu. “The important thing to realise is that even if you are not in a high risk group, you may have contact with someone in a high risk group - at work, at home, socially, or even just at the supermarket. “The best way to protect those at risk of complications from flu is to reduce the overall prevalence, and the best way to do this is to increase the uptake of annual flu vaccination.” Dr White said people could make a big difference to peak pressures on the State’s hospitals by having a flu vaccination. “Nationally, the flu results in around 15,000 hospitalisations each year,” Dr White said. “It adds to the pressures on all hospitals – including the Royal – at peak demand times including winter and spring. “We also recognise how important it is for health care workers to have a yearly flu shot, and are providing this opportunity on-site for our staff. “All our hospital staff - including catering, cleaning and administrative staff - are able to receive the vaccine free because we know it will help protect our patients. “It’s also a good investment in terms of staff health and wellbeing and reduced sick leave over winter.” Dr Taylor said vaccination protects most people and reduces the rates of illness, complications and death, even though it doesn’t prevent all cases. “Ideally, everyone over the age of six months should be vaccinated at this time, every year, unless there is a medical reason not to do so,” he said. “The highest priority groups include those aged 65 and over (or 50 and over if Aboriginal), those with chronic health conditions, and health care workers and others who have regular contact with people at risk.” Flu vaccinations are available from General Practitioners and through municipal vaccination clinics. Arrangements can sometimes be made for vaccinations to be provided at work places, through local vaccination service providers such as Local Councils, occupational health companies or General Practitioners. The influenza vaccine is free for a number of high-risk groups including everyone aged 65 and over (or above the age of 50 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders), although some doctors may charge for an appointment. Dr Taylor said other important precautions people could take to reduce the spread of flu this winter included: • Washing your hands frequently with soap and water – this can halve the frequency of respiratory tract infections. Always wash your hands before touching your mouth, nose or eyes, before touching any food, drinks or kitchen utensils, and after coughing or sneezing (before you touch anything else) • Covering your mouth when you cough, with tissues or even the inside of your elbow if you don’t have a tissue handy. Using the inside of your elbow is better than using your hands because your hands can spread the germs • Blowing your nose with a tissue and disposing of the tissue in a suitable bin • Avoiding unnecessary interaction with people who are sick • Staying home if you are unwell – don’t go to work, and keep sick children away from school or child care.
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