It's coming back...

Experts warn that reduced vaccination may lead to increased health risks this flu season

30 March 2011: As the ‘flu season’ begins, new findings released today by the Influenza Specialist Group (ISG) have revealed that every third person that you come into contact with on transport, at work or while buying a coffee this season could be the one that passes the influenza virus on to you or someone you know.

The survey of 1,120 people[i] revealed that while 82 percent of respondents recognize that even healthy people would benefit from vaccination, nearly three quarters (72%) are unsure whether they will get the vaccination, almost half (42%) have never had the vaccination and around 5,400,000[ii] adult Australians (35%) will definitely not be seeking vaccination this year.

Although people recognise the benefits of vaccination there was some reluctance identified through the survey. While people understand that being vaccinated in the past does not necessarily protect them from future influenza outbreaks (95%) they still do not believe it is important to be vaccinated every year (28%).

The worrying aspect for these people is that many people are avoiding vaccination and potentially becoming a risk to themselves and those around them because they see vaccination as ‘too much hassle’ (40%), or unnecessary because they ‘never get the flu - so there’s no point’ (18%).

Professor Bill Rawlinson, virologist and Director of the Influenza Specialist Group (ISG), suggests that although we see more complications from influenza in people with underlying conditions, such as the elderly, diabetes, and other chronic lung and heart diseases, complications can still occur in otherwise healthy people. Events in the Northern Hemisphere provide some idea of the impact this year’s flu season can have in Australia.

Read the full media release here:  2011_ISG _Media_Release.pdf