Flu shots delayed a month in Queensland in bid to fight influenza
Queensland Health have announced that the influenza shot will be delayed by a month due to a change in the vaccine.
The vaccine will now be rolled out in Queensland during April, with the official vaccination season to begin on April 20.
Queensland Health's Communicable Disease Unit director Sonya Bennett told 612 ABC Brisbane's Spencer Howson that it would be four weeks later than previous years.
"The vaccine is delayed as two of the strains of the vaccine have had to be changed from previous vaccines," Dr Bennett said.
"The vaccine is assessed each year and the World Health Organisation looks at the influenza season and determines if the vaccine currently available needs to be changed.
"This year two of the strains were recommended to be changed; whilst one strain may change, two is unusual."
The vaccine funded by the Commonwealth and distributed by Queensland Health would be available on April 20, while the private market in pharmacies would have access before then.
"For people who are at a high risk of getting influenza - they should be ready once the vaccine comes out to visit the GP to get the flu vaccine," Dr Bennett said.
Northern Hemisphere flu season indicator
Dr Bennett said the Northern Hemisphere often dictated what Queenslanders should expect for their flu season.
"The strains that were circulating in the Northern Hemisphere this year were slightly different to those that were contained in their vaccine, and they had quite a large flu season," she said.
"With many people falling unwell in the Northern Hemisphere it give us ways to determine what vaccines are needed for the Southern Hemisphere."
Although most people fall sick during winter, Dr Bennett warned the flu could occur all year round.
"We have a flu season when we see a large number of cases over a certain period of time which is usually May to September," she said.
"[But] people still can get the flu throughout the year and it is important that people are aware of that and visit their GP if they are unwell."
