Division of Human Resources

General Information About Influenza Vaccination

 

What is influenza?

Influenza is a contagious disease caused by a virus that infects many parts of the body, including the lungs. Up to 20% of people may catch influenza each year1.

When someone who has influenza sneezes, coughs or even talks the influenza virus is expelled into the air and may be inhaled by anyone close by. In adults, symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, muscle aches, headaches, runny nose and watery eyes.

Although the fever and body aches usually last for 3-5 days, a cough and fatigue may persist for 2 weeks or more.

In healthy adults, influenza is regarded as a moderately severe illness. For people who are not healthy to begin with, influenza can be very severe or even fatal with the additional complications usually caused by bacterial infection.

How long is a person with influenza contagious?

The period between infection and onset of symptoms is 1-4 days. A person may be contagious 1 day before symptoms appear and for 3-7 days after the onset of symptoms.

What is influenza vaccination?

Vaccination involves deep subcutaneous injection of 0.5 ml of Inactivated Split Influenza vaccine into the upper arm.

Vaccination occurs in a room set aside in the workplace, with staff groups vaccinated in the one session. It usually takes only a few minutes to complete the procedure.

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Is influenza vaccination effective?

In healthy, working adults influenza vaccination has been shown to:

when compared with healthy working adults who had received a placebo2.

Is influenza vaccination safe?

The vaccine does not cause influenza, and does not contain ?live virus.? Generally, people have no reaction to the vaccine although some may experience side effects such as tenderness and redness at the site. This usually clears within a day.

There are instances where people should not receive influenza vaccine, for example those who are allergic to eggs or the chicken products used to prepare the vaccine. Prior to each individual vaccination, people complete a checklist that covers the circumstances in which vaccination should not take place. At the time of vaccination staff then confirm information on the checklist and are available to answer any questions related to this information.

Vaccination is only administered by trained and authorised staff, experienced in managing all situations associated with vaccination.

Is influenza vaccination compulsory?

No. The decision to be vaccinated is completely voluntary.

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How long will the vaccination offer protection from influenza?

It takes about 10 -14 days after influenza vaccination for a person to develop protection against influenza infection. It is therefore important to plan a vaccination program before there is an increased probability of infection from contact with others.

The amount of antibodies in the body is greatest 1 or 2 months after vaccination and then gradually declines over a 6 month period.

In 2008, the strains that have been included in this year?s vaccine for Australia are:

Should I be vaccinated again this year?

Yes, because protection diminishes with time and influenza strains can change, it is recommended that vaccination be considered every twelve months.

Further Information

Further information can be obtained from Zoltan Sakal at the University Occupational Health Service on 8344 4534.

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References

  1. Nichol KL. Clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of influenza vaccination among health working adults. Vaccine 1999, 17:567-73.
  2. Nichol, KL et al. The effectiveness of vaccination against influenza in healthy working adults. New England Journal of Medicine, 1995, 333; 889 ? 93.
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