Australian doctor reveals EVERYTHING you need to know about the flu vaccine and COVID-19 – and the best time to get your shot this year
- A doctor has outlined educational facts regarding the flu vaccine and COVID-19
- Melbourne doctor Dr Preeya Alexander shared the insight on Instagram
- She said the flu vaccine does not protect against COVID-19 but is recommended
- Experts from Australian consumer company CHOICE supported the facts
By Carina Stathis For Daily Mail Australia
Published: 01:23 BST, 3 April 2020 | Updated: 02:26 BST, 3 April 2020
A doctor who has been bombarded with questions from worried patients about the approaching flu season has urged all Australians to get the flu vaccine this year – because it will help the nation get through the coronavirus pandemic.
Australian GP Preeya Alexander said although the flu vaccine doesn’t offer protection from COVID-19, it’s more important than ever for people to get vaccinated – so hospitals and doctors aren’t treating severe cases of the flu and the coronavirus at the same time.
‘The medical community strongly advocates for the influenza vaccine every year but even more so this year – for everyone,’ she wrote on her Instagram page, the Wholesome Doctor.
General practitioner and founder of The Wholesome Doctor, Dr Preeya Alexander (pictured), has shared her knowledge on Instagram revealing a series of educational facts
Why you should get the flu vaccine this year
‘The intention is to avoid two concurrent significant viral illnesses (influenza and COVID-19) at a similar time,’ Dr Alexander wrote.
She explained that influenza is ‘still a severe viral illness’ that can cause extreme complications including pneumonia, sepsis and even death.
As coronavirus is also a viral illness, Dr Alexander said it appears to be ‘more fatal’ since there is currently no existing vaccine.
While the flu vaccine does not protect against contracting COVID-19, this year it is strongly recommended by physicians and authorities
The flu vaccine is available in Australia now
Dr Alexander said the best time to get the annual flu shot in Australia is in April – no earlier or later – and will last three to four months before its effectiveness declines.
‘Anytime from now is fine – it’s better to get vaccinated – just do it,’ she said.
This strategic timing offers protection during the flu season’s peak between July and August in Australia, though doesn’t provide complete immunity against it.
If the injection is offered too early or late this will impact the vaccination’s effect and may lower outcome, and re-vaccination later in the season is not recommended by doctors.
Health authorities are encouraging all people from the age of six months and older to get vaccinated this season
What you should know about the flu vaccine and COVID-19
The flu vaccine will not protect against coronavirus
The intention is to avoid two concurrent significant viral illnesses (influenza and COVID-19) at a similar time
Influenza is still a severe viral illness – pneumonia, sepsis and death are complications. COVID-19 is also a viral illness (caused by a different virus) – it appears to be more fatal and there is no vaccine yet
The flu vaccine can be given to anyone (without an allergic reaction to it) six months of age and over
In Australia certain groups are government funded (kids 6 months to 5 years of age, those with a chronic medical condition LIKE (but not limited to) asthma/diabetes, those aged over 65, all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged over 6 months and all pregnant women)
The vaccine is normally given ideally from April to last the peak of influenza season (July/August) – the vaccine effectiveness declines after 3 to 4 months
High risk groups can consider a booster dose in the season if needed (I did this last year as a pregnant asthmatic women working in general practice)
Stock can be hard to get – if you don’t fit into a government funded group it’s priced around $20
You need the vaccine yearly – the vaccine changes yearly to try and covers strains likely to dominate in the community
The flu vaccine won’t protect you from COVID-19, but a reduction in flu infections will help relieve the strain on the medical system
Source: The Wholesome Doctor
CORONAVIRUS CASES IN AUSTRALIA: 5,108
New South Wales: 2,298
Victoria: 1036
Queensland: 835
Western Australia: 392
South Australia: 367
Australian Capital Territory: 87
Tasmania: 72
Northern Territory: 21
TOTAL CASES: 5,108
RECOVERED: 508
DEAD: 24
The vaccine can be given to anyone over the age of six months who isn’t ill and possesses no allergies
In Australia the flu vaccine is free for certain groups of people including all children aged between six months to five years old, all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged six months and over, all people over 65, pregnant woman and those with existing medical conditions aged six months and older.
Dr Alexander also mentioned high risk groups can consider a booster dose throughout the season if needed.
‘I did this last year as a pregnant asthmatic women working in general practice,’ she said.
For those who aren’t eligible to receive the vaccine for free, it is often inexpensive and ranges between $15 to $25.
Dr Alexander also mentioned high risk groups can consider a booster dose throughout the season if needed.
Experts from the Australian consumer company CHOICE supported Dr Alexander’s advice and they said the flu shot is crucial during the coronavirus pandemic and everyone should get vaccinated.
CHOICE revealed this year ‘record amounts of the [flu] vaccine’ will be accessible.
The government’s National Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Program will provide free vaccinations to eligible people from mid-April 2020.
CHOICE also outlined as of May 1, 2020, those who have not had the flu shot will not be able to visit nursing homes or aged care facilities.
You can get the flu shot through your local GP or medical centre. As you don’t need a script to get the flu vaccine, some chemists such as Priceline, Chemist Warehouse, Amcal, TerryWhite and others offer the flu shot through flu clinics.