When to Get a Flu Shot in Australia
Getting your flu shot early is essential to ensure that your body has enough time to build immunity before flu season begins. In Australia, flu season typically peaks during the winter months, between June and August. This means that you should be looking to get your flu shot as early as February or March if you live in Australia.
This means that if you are looking to schedule flu shots for your business in time for them to be effective for your employees or coworkers in time for flu season, you should do it now.
Why do I need to get the flu shot so early?
After getting a flu shot, it takes about two weeks for your immune system to develop a strong defense against the flu virus. Think of it as your body learning the details of the virus so that when it encounters it again, it will recognise it and swiftly respond to it so that you get less sick or avoid illness at all.
By getting vaccinated early, you’ll be well-prepared to face the flu season, reducing your risk of getting sick and helping to prevent the spread of the virus to others.
What are the dangers and complications of the flu?
Although many people are dismissive of the flu in the post-COVID era, the flu can still make you quite ill and cause dangerous complications. Flu is not the same as a common cold. The flu is a serious disease because it can lead to:
- bronchitis
- croup
- pneumonia
- ear infections
- heart and other organ damage
- brain inflammation and brain damage
- death.
The flu is easily spread from person to person and can affect people of all ages.
People at highest risk of complications from the flu are:
- babies
- children and pregnant women
- those with existing medical conditions
- people aged over 65
- people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent
Why should my workplace care whether I get a flu shot or not?
An employer that cares about your personal health and well-being will be most likely to encourage you to get a flu shot. Even better, they may arrange for a workplace flu shot program to provide immunisations to you and your fellow coworkers.
If you own a business, you should know that In Australia, the flu costs employers 7 billion dollars per year in lost productivity. Workplace flu vaccination programs reduce employee abstentions, protect workplace productivity, and protect business sales numbers and profits. Making sure that your employees are protected from the flu as early as possible leaves you and your company ahead of the game in case shortages occur later in the season.
When should the flu vaccination be offered to employees in Australia?
As influenza usually occurs from June, with the peak around August, vaccinating by mid-April will allow people to develop immunity before influenza transmission is at its peak. Most people will develop immunity 2 to 3 weeks after their flu shot and the best protection against the flu occurs within 3 to 4 months of being vaccinated.
Who provides workplace flu vaccination programs in Australia?
Healthworks provides comprehensive and effective flu vaccination programs for employers across Australia. We provide services in the following major metropolitan areas: Melbourne; Sydney; Brisbane; Perth; Adelaide. Get your workplace flu vaccination quote today.
