Bass Coast Shire Council’s Influenza immunisation program will begin in May.
Under the program, Council nurses will administer free flu vaccinations through the Government’s National Immunisation Program.
The free vaccines are available for eligible children aged between six months and four years old, adults aged over 65 years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over six months old and pregnant women.
Immunisation sessions are held in Cowes, Grantville and Wonthaggi. The Grantville session will be held on Thursday, 9 May. The Cowes session will be held on Tuesday, 14 May and the Wonthaggi session will be held on Tuesday, 21 May.
The Cowes and Wonthaggi sessions run from 10.30am to 12.30pm. The Grantville session runs from 10.30am and finishes at 12.00pm. There is no need to book in, just show up on the day that suits you.
The flu can hit quickly and last for weeks, meaning time off work or school and staying away from family and friends. The flu is a highly contagious viral infection that can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications, including pneumonia.
The flu doesn’t discriminate and anyone can be affected, but for some of our more vulnerable members of the community, like children and the elderly, the flu can have serious and devastating outcomes.
That’s why it’s so important everyone in the community plays their part in helping stop the spread of flu. It’s as easy as following three steps: cough or sneeze into your elbow, wash your hands regularly and if you’re sick, avoid going to work or school, visiting vulnerable people or busy public places.
If you do get the flu, the best things you can do to look after yourself are to rest, stay at home and drink plenty of fluids. If you do need to see a GP for your symptoms, make sure you call ahead first so they can make sure there’s no one in an at-risk group around when you have your appointment.
