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The Good News / Bad News of the 2018 Flu Season

The Good News: The 2018 flu season was amongst the lowest in Australia for the last 5 years. Laboratory-confirmed influenza cases were down to 21,831 (as of 12 August 2018) from 93,711 the same time the previous year. That’s a 76% decrease year on year! This can be in part attributed to a much higher uptake of the influenza vaccine nationally compared to previous years.

The Bad News: Influenza vaccine supplies suffered national storages during the peak on the vaccination season with many people missing out on being able to get a vaccine this year. Traditional consumption is predictably 7 – 9 million doses a year whereas 2018 over 10 million doses were administered nationally (>30% increase on 2017). Lesson to learn…. Sign up as early as possible to secure your vaccines for 2019!

Department of Health, Australian Influenza Surveillance Report - week ending 21 October 2018

When flu season occurs, businesses and other organisations can suffer huge losses in terms of unplanned absences, sick leave, and reduced productivity.

For those looking for strategies to combat these losses, as well as demonstrating a commitment to employee health and wellbeing, flu vaccination services can deliver a real and measurable impact.

Important News for 2019
Each year the World Health Organization (WHO) puts forward its recommendations for the composition of influenza virus for use in the Southern Hemisphere’s influenza season. In October, The Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee (AIVC) put forward their recommendations for which influenza viruses are to be used in the composition of the influenza vaccines for 2019. During this meeting, the expert committee reviewed and evaluated data related to epidemiology, antigenic and genetic characteristics of recent influenza isolates circulating in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere, serological responses to 2017-2018 vaccines, and the availability of candidate vaccines viruses and reagents.

In 2019 there are will to be two changes to the Quadrivalent vaccine offered in 2018. The 2019 southern hemisphere influenza season contain the following:

an A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1) pdm09 - like virus;
an A/Switzerland/8060/2017 (H3N2)-like virus;
a B/Colorado/06/2017-like virus (B/Victoria/2/87 lineage); and
A B/Phuket/3073/2013 - like virus

AVS will be working with all manufacturers in 2019 to ensure that we have a guaranteed supply for our clients. Based on previous years, current estimates for the availability of the vaccine in Australia is 2nd - 3rd week of March. With Easter taking place on 19th & 22nd April closely followed by ANZAC day, we highly recommend booking early to ensure you can receive the most popular vaccination slots available (those outside of the school/Easter Holidays).

Click here to download a copy of the Australian Influenza Surveillance Report - 2018 Influenza Season Summary by the Department of Health

Australian Vaccine Services provide convenient, cost-effective flu vaccinations to organisations based all around Australia, to help ensure that employees stay healthy and happy throughout the season. Working with us means:

Complete end to end project management: all scheduling and paperwork is taken care of
Custom built and tried and tested online booking system for employees to book their own appointment
Onsite services for your convenience: employees can usually return to work straight away
Over 800 partner clinics and pharmacies nationally, for employees who need to get vaccinated at an alternative time the latest flu strain vaccines as recommended by the WHO
A specialist team of vaccination nurses
Free promotional material and booking management to ensure maximum participation
One simple invoice, including partner clinic visits

Our team are happy to prepare a free quote on flu shots and vaccination services, tailored to the needs of your organisation, as well as answer any questions you may have about our service. To get in touch, call 1800 FLU VAC (1800 358 822) or email sales@ausvacs.com.au.

Australian Vaccine Services employee flu vaccination services are supported by our highly experienced and professional team. AVS can provide one of Australia's most cost effective onsite flu vaccination services and employee wellness programs. Your dedicated AVS project manager will work closely with you to make sure you have all the tools and resources for a seamless implementation of your 2019 flu vaccination and corporate wellness programs.

www.ausvacs.com.au I www.ausvacs.com

Corporate Flu Vaccination Services in Australia

Australian Vaccine Services (AVS) is one of Australia's leading specialist corporate flu vaccination services and employee wellbeing providers. AVS completed over 77,000 vaccinations across more than 1,900 locations nationally in 2018. Each year we work with a range of clients from Federal, State and Local Government departments, large, medium and small businesses, Universities, Councils, and non-for-profits.

We offer corporate flu vaccination services in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra, Adelaide, Tasmania and many regional locations for your convenience.

Australian Vaccine Services Corporate Flu Vaccination and Wellbeing Services.

Now Taking Bookings for 2019 Quadrivalent Vaccinations!