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	October 2011 Influenza vaccine composition for 2012 flu season The composition of the flu vaccine for 2012 in the southern hemisphere has been announced by the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA). The formulation of influenza vaccines for use in Australia is determined each year by the Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee (AIVC) with the benefit of information and recommendations from the World Health Organization. For more information: 2012 vaccine composition   2011 Flu season peaks in July & August In our July newsletter we reported that we believed the peak of the flu season was imminent. In fact, figures provided by the Australian Government's National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System show that the flu season not only peaked in July & August, but the total notified cases in those 2 months were about the same as all notified cases in 2010.  The ISG has been monitoring flu activitiy very closely this year, with a page of our website dedicated to flu surveillance across the country, and in New Zealand. Use this link for more information: Flu Surveillance The communications activities that were undertaken, reminding at risk people of the benefits of vaccination and the community at large about good respiratory hygiene and appropriate precautions when ill, were also very successful. Our messages reached more television and radio stations than ever before, with significant increases in both print and online media.   The ISG welcomes our Communications Specialist The ISG has entered into a new era with the recent appointment of Ms Susanne Sperber-Pflaumer to the role of Communications Specialist. Susanne has more than 20 years experience in delivering strategic communications consultancy and executing communications programs for non-government organisations as well as large international brands and start up companies. Before she relocated to Melbourne, Susanne was part of the European management team of a global public relations firm. Susanne has also been responsible for engaging a variety of organisations with their respective community, stakeholder and opinion leaders based on strategic marketing and communications plans through traditional and new media. She has a broad background in marketing with a focus on corporate branding, and worked as a Lecturer at University of Applied Science Kufstein, Austria. Susanne holds a degree in political science from Munich University. Susanne's arrival means the ISG will have greater in-house capacity to deliver its messages about influenza prevention and treatment.   We have moved After 3 years sharing accommodation with the National Asthma Council Australia (NAC), we are moving. Our new address is: 1 Queens Road, Melbourne 3004 Victoria Our email and website are unchanged , but our new telephone and fax numbers are: Ph: 03 9863 8650 Fx: 03 9863 8652 We are sincerely grateful to the NAC for their support, and for being an outstanding landlord.   Risk Assessment Tool An influenza Risk Assessment Tool has been designed by the ISG to assist the community in assessing their risk of contracting influenza and of suffering serious consequences should they contract the disease. It is intended to be used as a guide only, and you should consult your doctor regarding vaccination and take this checklist along with you to your appointment. ISG Influenza Risk Assessment Tool