Up dated version of the Flu shots and how it works....

• Are over 65 and over (or 50 and over if you’re Aboriginal or a Torres Strait Islander).
• Have a chronic heart, lung, kidney or metabolic disease, such as diabetes mellitus.
• Are having immunosuppressive therapy (for example you are having chemotherapy, taking systemic corticosteroids or are HIV positive)
• Have severe asthma.
• Are likely to be in your second or third trimester of pregnancy during the flu season.
• live in a nursing home or long-term care facility.
• Work in a nursing homes, long-term care facility or care for people who are in increased risk groups.

They also recommend children six months and older with congenital heart problems, severe asthma, chronic disabilities such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, or having immunosuppressive or long-term aspirin therapy are vaccinated each year.

The flu vaccine has some, mostly mild, side effects, such as soreness around the vaccination site, and a few people may get flu-like symptoms: fever, fatigue and muscle soreness, or in some cases reactions such as hives, asthma and breathlessness. The vaccine has also been associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome — a very rare nerve disease that causes muscle weakening and paralysis which may resolve over several months or years. The risk of getting pneumonia from not having the vaccine is much greater.

You shouldn’t have the vaccine if you’re allergic to eggs, if you already have a fever or if you’ve had Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Once you’ve had the shot, it takes about two weeks for your body to develop immunity to the viruses — which is why you need to get your shot in autumn before the flu season starts.

One shot is enough to provide protection for adults for up to a year, but children under nine who’ve never been immunised against the flu should have two shots at least four weeks apart.

• If you’re over 65 (or 50 if you’re Aboriginal or a Torres Strait Islander), or you’re an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander aged between 15 and 49 with a chronic disease you can get a free vaccination at your local GP or some health centres under the Commonwealth Government’s immunisation scheme.
• If national health guidelines recommend you have an annual shot but you're not covered by the Commonwealth’s immunisation program or you're not eligible for a concession the vaccination costs up to $21.90 depending upon the pharmacist (the shot is dispensed at a cost of $17.57 and on top of that you also pay a $0.87 safety net recording fee and at least a $2.69 dispensing fee to the pharmacist).
• If you're eligible under national guidelines to get a shot and you are entitled to a concession the shot will cost you $3.50 or it will be free if you or your family have already spent $182 on PBS items within the year.
• If you don't come under the national guidelines but still want a flu shot your GP will write a private prescription which will cost whatever the pharmacist decides to charge.

  For more information talk to your GP or local health centre, call the Immunisation Hotline on:1800 671 811 or check the Immunise Australia website at http://immunise.health.gov.au.