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 The Influenza Specialist Group has been undertaking an annual awareness campaign since 1992. It is a program aimed at educating the community about the potential severity and consequences of influenza and the importance of prevention and appropriate treatment.
The campaign begins with a national media event, with the purpose of raising awareness of influenza, highlighting any important issues, and announcing any key initiatives that are to be undertaken. The 2010 launch was held at the Prince Alfred Hospital in Camperdown in NSW. A panel of experts participated to remind Australians that influenza is not just a risk for older Australians, with national data showing that 80 percent of those hospitalised annually with suspected or confirmed influenza are younger then 65 years of age. Television, radio and print media were present to ask questions, and to report the event to the nation.
The following is an excerpt from the media release:
Over five million Australians now eligible for free influenza vaccines this winter
Over 80 percent of Australian hospital admissions for confirmed or suspected influenza occur in those aged under 65 years
This announcement follows a recent Commonwealth Government decision to make free influenza vaccines available to approximately 2.2 million Australians aged under 65 years who live with underlying medical conditions, are pregnant or are of Aboriginal or Torress Strait Islander descent.
Annual influenza vaccination is the best form of protection against influenza and is recommended for many Australians, particularly those who are predisposed to severe complications. This includes those aged ≥65 years, people living with an underlying medical condition, pregnant women and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders aged ≥15 years. Underlying medical conditions include heart disease, chronic lung disease (incl. severe asthma), diabetes, chronic kidney failure, neuromuscular disorders and people who have weakened immune defenses.
Professor Lou Irving, ISG Director and Director of Respiratory Disease at Royal Melbourne Hospital, welcomed the Government’s decision to fund influenza vaccines in these younger Australians. He explained that complications arising from influenza increase the risk of death by 40-800 times in those who have underlying conditions, while evidence suggests the vaccine is up to 90 percent effective in protecting against influenza infection.
“The seasonal influenza vaccine helps protect you against the three most common strains which have been identified by the WHO as potentially leading to serious illness in the southern hemisphere this winter. This includes A/H1N1 ‘swine flu’ which is just one of the viruses that we are likely to face,” said Dr Hampson, Chairman of the ISG. “As a result it’s really important you speak with your GP if you are predisposed to serious complications from influenza or want to reduce your chances of falling ill, regardless of whether or not you’ve received a pandemic A/H1N1 ‘swine flu’ vaccine.”
People who do become ill with influenza can help protect others by staying at home, or if you have to be in contact with other people ensure you cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing. In addition, there are antiviral medications available on prescription for those who fall ill with influenza. These medications can help limit the effect of influenza if they are taken within the first two days of the onset of symptoms.
Read full media release here
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Newsletter 
This is an exciting development for the ISG. Visitors to our website have increased 3-fold over the past 12 months, and we have receive many requests for additional information. The introduction of the ISG newsletter will help to bring information to our readers, so they can spend less time searching for it. The newsletter will be published quarterly, and will bring to our readers important information about influenza, and highlight the key issues that have the potential to affect us all. It is being launched at a time that coincides with the expected onset of the Australian 2010 flu season.
The ISG welcomes and supports the recent Australian Government initiative to make available free influenza vaccine to all pregnant women through the recently expanded national immunisation program. Studies have shown that compared with non-pregnant women, pregnant women are at increased risk of influenza-related hospitalisation during both seasonal influenza outbreaks and pandemics. The recent pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza has further emphasised this with many cases of severe illness in pregnant and postpartum women and, unfortunately, a number of deaths.
The Australian Government extended its national immunisation program with the aim to increase influenza vaccination rates for those most at risk of complications from influenza, and this has contributed to a high demand for seasonal influenza vaccine in Australia this year.