2023 Flu Season Has Arrived
Influenza is most prevalent in the Southern Hemisphere each year between April and October. It is considered a highly contagious respiratory illness that typically presents with any or all of the below symptoms:
• Sneezing
• Sore Throat
• Headache
• Body aches and pains
• Chest discomfort / cough
• Exhaustion, fatigue and/or weakness
• Fever
Why get vaccinated in 2023?
Every year getting the flu vaccine is important. However, this flu season with Covid-19 variants and new viruses emerging that will cause complications when contracted with Influenza; it’ll be even more important to remain hygiene vigilant and get vaccinated.
An annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all Australians aged 6 months and older as the vaccine changes from year to year to account for new strains.
The Australian Influenzas Vaccine Committee (AVIC) has recommended the following viruses be included for the 2023 southern hemisphere influenza season, with the inclusion of two new virus strains (2):
Egg-based quadrivalent influenza vaccines:
• an A/Sydney/5/2021 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
• an A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2)-like virus;
• a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus; and
• a B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus.
Cell- or recombinant-based quadrivalent influenza vaccines:
• an A/Sydney/5/2021 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
• an A/Darwin/6/2021 (H3N2)-like virus;
• a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus; and
• a B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus.
The H1N1, H3N2 and B Victoria lineage viruses are recommended for trivalent influenza vaccines for 2023 southern hemisphere season.
Is it safe?
Yes – all vaccines in Australia are registered with the Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA) and have to meet certain standards before being approved as safe and effective by the TGA.
What is the cost of getting the 2023 Flu Vaccine?
According to the Australian Government Department of Health, the following individuals are at most risk of complications from influenza, and are subsequently eligible to receive a free annual vaccine under the annual National Immunisation Program (3):
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over
• Children aged 6 months to under 5 years
• People aged 6 months or over who have a medical condition that means they have a higher risk of getting serious disease (e.g. those with heart disease, lung disease and/or respiratory complications, diabetes etc.)
• Pregnant women (at any stage of pregnancy)
• People aged 65 years and over.
For all other patients, there is a $20 charge for the vaccine, however with a valid medicare card, the consultation fee is bulk billed, when booked as a flu vaccination through our flu clinic.
To book a flu vaccination for yourself and your family please contact our reception team on 07 3450 0761 or book an appointment online.
And if you’re a local business looking for a corporate flu vaccination program, please contact our Practice Manager by calling reception or emailing reception@bribiemediplus.com.au so the individual needs of your organisation can be discussed and quoted.
Please note: if you are unwell / have respiratory symptoms please speak to your GP / Practice Nurse before proceeding with the vaccine to ensure its safety.
(1) Royal Australian College of General Practitioners NewsGP – Chance of early flu season in 2023.
Link – RACGP – Chance of early flu season in 2023
(2) Australian Government Department of Health – Therapeutic Goods Administration 2022. AIVC recommendations for the composition of influenza vaccine for Australia in 2023.
Link – AIVC Recommendations for the Composition of Influenza Vaccines for Australia in 2023 | Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) dations for the composition of influenza vaccine for Australia in 2022 | Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
(3) Australian Government Department of Health 2023. Influenza (flu) immunisation service.
Link – Influenza (flu) vaccine | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care