VACCINATION PROGRAMS
Vaccination Programmes are designed to stimulate the bodies own immunity to protect against transmissible diseases. They can provide protection for your staff from potential exposures both on the worksite, and in the general community.
Vaccinating your staff reduces the risk of a worksite injury, and also reduces the risk of unplanned absence (sick leave). Whether your staff are located in Australia, or posted overseas, vaccinations reduce the risk of serious illness.
Recovre Corp Health can recommend which vaccinations should be offered to your staff. Commonly required vaccinations include Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B, Tetanus and Influenza. Whilst the influenza vaccination (flu shot) is recommended for all adults without contraindications such as allergy, other vaccinations will only be required by staff who are placed at risk of infection by virtue of their job description.
THE SINGLE BEST WAY TO PROTECT AGAINST THE FLU IS TO GET VACCINATED
EACH YEAR.
The ‘flu shot’
The "flu shot" is an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions. About 2 weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against influenza virus infection develop in the body.
When to get vaccinated?
Yearly flu vaccination should begin in April or as soon as vaccine is available and continue throughout the influenza season, into July, August, and beyond. This is because the timing and duration of influenza seasons vary. While influenza outbreaks can happen as early as February, most of the time influenza activity peaks in June or later.
Who should get vaccinated?
It is recommended that all eligible Australians get vaccinated each year. There are certain groups of people at higher risk of severe illness and vaccination for them should be a priority. These groups include:
- Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday
- Pregnant women
- People 50 years of age and older
- People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
- People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
- People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu
What is the vaccine's effectiveness?
The ability of flu vaccine to protect a person depends on the age and health status of the
person getting the vaccine, and the similarity or "match" between the virus strains in the
vaccine and those in circulation. Generally, it can be considered to be effective in around 75% of healthy adults.
How can I get vaccinated?
Contact Janet Lane on 02 8262 9533 or email janet.lane@recovre.com.au.
Alternatively, you can call our national number on 1300 550 276.