THE new FREE vaccine to protect against the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus is now available for North Coast residents aged 10 years and over via their General Practitioner or Community Controlled Aboriginal Medical Service. Free vaccine is also available for health care staff and inpatients of public and private hospitals.

Paul Corben North Coast Area Health Service (NCAHS) Director of Public Health said, “The Panvax® H1N1 vaccine was registered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration on 18 September 2009 and deliveries to North Coast immunisation providers commenced late last week.

“In the first few days of distribution more than 53,000 doses were delivered to over 135 immunisation providers across the North Coast. More deliveries are expected in the coming days and weeks.”

“Vaccination is the safest response for the community, particularly as large numbers of people are at risk of infection. In the past few months some people have suffered serious health complications and many have died following infection with this virus. By getting vaccinated you can protect yourself and help stop this flu spreading” Mr Corben said.

Panvax® H1N1 Vaccine has been prepared in the same way as seasonal flu vaccine and contains extracts of protein from the new flu strain. Once you get vaccinated, those proteins prompt your body to produce antibodies to protect you from the virus. This vaccine, like seasonal flu vaccines, does not contain live virus and cannot give you influenza.

Protection after vaccination varies from person to person, but people generally start producing the antibodies that provide protection two weeks after the vaccination. Protection is expected to last for at least one year.

All people aged 10 years and over can be vaccinated but some people are more at risk of severe outcomes if they catch this flu.

Vaccination is strongly recommended for pregnant women, parents and guardians of children up to 6 months old; Aboriginal people; people with underlying chronic conditions including heart disease; asthma and other lung diseases; cancer; diabetes; kidney disease; neurological disease; other chronic conditions (talk to your GP); people who are severely obese; frontline health workers and community care workers.