Management, therefore, needs to ensure that influenza immunization is considered a priority in a bid to maintain a healthy workforce. One of the major benefits of regular vaccinations is the instigation of herd immunity; a form of immunity where the total vaccination of the herd creates a layer of protection for all members of the population, including those without fully developed immune systems. It is difficult for a virus or bacteria to spread wherever a high percentage of individuals are immunized.

However, there are certain myths that tend to discredit workplace flu vaccinations. Below, we demystify the top misconceptions:

Myth 1. Flu is not a serious condition, thus, implying that I do not need to be vaccinated.

Flu has the potential to potential to turn chronic if not properly managed. In some cases, it leads to a buildup of other compilations such as asthma, eventually causing death. Statistics show that 3.9 individuals out of every 100,000 in Australia die from flu every year. In 2017 alone, 1,255 people died from influenza in the country. Therefore, it is prudent to explore providing a corporate flu vaccination program to help project staff members from the flu.

Myth 2. Influenza vaccination causes severe side effects

Possible side effects of the flu shot are mostly felt at the site of injection. These include pain, swelling, fever, and sores. Other common side effects include malaise and nausea. Nonetheless, they are not sever and wear off in a couple of days. Such reactions can occur within an hour and can last for at most 48 hours. Scientific research shows that these side effects are the body’s way of reacting to polymyxin and neomycin, antibiotics used in the vaccine.

Myth 3. Pregnant ladies should not get flu vaccinations

Flu is a serious condition, especially for expectant ladies. Pregnancy leaves one more susceptible to other health complications that eventually lead to hospitalization. As such, flu vaccinations are used to protect not only the mother but also the child. What’s more, the fact that babies need to be at least 6 months old for their first influenza vaccine implies that flu shots are the most ideal means of protecting your newborn baby.

Myth 4. Flu vaccines can transmit the disease

This unfounded belief holds that flu shots at the workplace and other public spaces have the ability to transmit influenza. Flu vaccines comprise majorly of killed flu viruses. As such, they cannot bring about any form of infection. They are safe.

AVS is one of Australia’s leading specialist vaccination providers. Our highly experienced team and immunisation nurses provide a simple and effective onsite solution for vaccinating your staff. Our team can help you to get your workforce vaccinated against the most common strains of flu this season, from the comfort of your own location or via our pharmacy partners.

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The flu is a nasty disease that is far worse than the common cold. Symptoms and serious sickness usually pass after a few days, however, there are some circumstances where a simple flu diagnosis may then lead onto more serious complications. Being aware of these is essential for all businesses, as failing to understand the risks could put many workers at risk of getting seriously ill.

Certain groups are particularly susceptible to getting ill from the flu. These people are termed “medically at-risk”. They include the elderly (especially those individuals who are aged 65 years or older); very young children and infants, especially those which have recently come off of breast milk which contains natural antibodies; pregnant women; or any other individual who may have an underlying health condition which may prevent their body from being able to take action against the flu virus—leading to far more serious consequences.

But what is the solution to this problem? The flu can be a devastating illness, and for a business, the threat of having the flu spread through the workplace is one that could cause severe absenteeism and become a large cost for the business. Influenza can put the health of the workforce and their loved ones at risk as well, which will invariably result in lower productivity and potential mistakes being made.

Thankfully, though, there is a solution that can help to keep you and your workers safe this season, and that solution is to offer staff the opportunity to receive a vaccination via a workplace flu vaccination program.

AVS is one of Australia’s leading specialist vaccination and employee wellbeing providers. The AVS highly experienced project management team and fully qualified immunisation nurses provide a simple and effective onsite solution for vaccinating your staff. Our team are compassionate and efficient and can help you to get your workforce vaccinated against the most common strains of flu this season, from the comfort of your own location or via our pharmacy partners.

So, don’t get caught out when flu strikes. Get in touch and get your business’ workforce vaccinated against the major strains of flu!

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The committee recommended that the following viruses be used for influenza vaccines in the 2020 southern hemisphere influenza season:

Egg based Quadrivalent influenza vaccines:

• an A/Brisbane/02/2018 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
• an A/South Australia/34/2019 (H3N2)-like virus;
• a B/Washington/02/2019-like (B/Victoria lineage) virus; and
• a B/Phuket/3073/2013-like (B/Yamagata lineage) virus.

Egg based Trivalent influenza vaccines:

• an A/Brisbane/02/2018 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
• an A/South Australia/34/2019 (H3N2)-like virus; and
• a B/Washington/02/2019-like (B/Victoria lineage) virus.

The AIVC recommendation for the composition of influenza vaccines for Australia in 2020 introduces a new A (H1N1) like virus strain, a new A (H3N2) like virus strain and new strain for the B Victoria lineage when compared to the composition of the trivalent and quadrivalent vaccines for Australia in 2019.

The recommendations made by AIVC align with the recommendations made by the WHO: Recommended composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2020 southern hemisphere influenza season

The TGA has accepted the recommendations of the AIVC.

The TGA considers the following viruses or reassortants are suitable vaccine strains:

• those as listed on the WHO Influenza vaccine web pages: Influenza vaccine viruses and reagents for H1N1, H3N2 and B viruses.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Reference site:

https://www.tga.gov.au/aivc-recommendations-composition-influenza-vaccine-australia-2020

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If you belong to any of the categories below, you are also eligible to receive a free flu shot each year, anywhere in Australia.

Anyone 6 months and over with certain medical risk factors:

• heart disease
• severe asthma (requiring frequent medical consultations or use of multiple medications)
• chronic lung conditions
• diseases of the nervous system which affect your breathing
• impaired immunity
• diabetes
• kidney disease
• haemoglobinopathies
• children aged six months to 10 years on long-term aspirin therapy

All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 6 months and over

Adults 65 years and over

Pregnant women in any trimester during each pregnancy

(https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/immunisation/immunisation-throughout-life/national-immunisation-program-schedule#flu-influenza-vaccines)

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Do you know what skin cancer looks like? A simple check could save your life. We should all check our skin regularly.

Get to know your skin and take immediate action if you notice any changes. If you have fair skin, blue or green eyes, fair or red hair or lots of moles or freckles you are at high risk of developing skin cancer.

Cumulative UV exposure also contributes to your risk of developing skin cancer. So, if you grew up in Australia, work outdoors or spend lots of time in the sun you should take care to protect and check your skin.

AVS now offers workplace skin checks. Click here to find out more or contact us on 02 8097 0753.

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Influenza, or as it’s commonly known, “the Flu”, is a highly contagious virus that can affect the entire body. It’s easily spreadable and is contagious even before symptoms appear.

Being vaccinated is the most effective way to help the body strengthen its immunity against infection and prevent contracting the influenza virus and passing it on to others in the workplace, at home or on the daily commute.

By offering flu vaccinations to your employees you will:

• Reduce absenteeism due to influenza, and associated cost to businesses, by 25-35%
• Promote a healthy workforce
• Demonstrate your organisation’s interest in workforce health and wellbeing
• Increase the ‘Herd Immunity’ at work, to reduce the spread of the virus
• Limit employee disruption and increased workloads for employees that are not infected.

Did you know, the flu virus

• survives 48 hrs on hard & non-porous surfaces
• survives 12 hrs on tissues & clothing
• remains infectious for 1 week at body temperature
• over 30 days at freezing temperatures
• indefinitely below freezing

Contact us to talk about your 2020 employee influenza vaccination program.

^* From Health Services Australia, Managing Absenteeism Report, November 2002, as cited in Medibank Private’s “The health of Australia’s workforce” (November 2005)

^# Sick at Work – The cost of presenteeism to your business and the economy. July 2011 Part of the Medibank

research series:  https://www.medibank.com.au/Client/Documents/Pdfs/sick_at_work.pdf

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