26 Apr 2017
Experts call on Melburnians to have free flu immunisation and a cup of coffee
On Friday, 28 April, Melburnians can get their free flu shot with a free coffee at the Melbourne Town Hall in preparation for the winter flu season.
The Vaccination Café is hosted by the Australasian Society for Immunology as part of the International Day of Immunology to provide educational information on how vaccines work and the benefits of vaccination to the community.
As part of this event the City of Melbourne, North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network, Vaccin8@work and the Immunisation Coalition have united to urge Melbournians to get the flu shot.
Lord Mayor Robert Doyle will lead by example, getting his annual flu shot at the Melbourne Town Hall.
“I encourage everyone to get vaccinated. It’s important not only to protect yourself, but to help your family and co-workers avoid getting sick too,” the Lord Mayor said.
The 2017 Quadrivalent influenza vaccine provides protection against the four most common seasonal influenza viruses.
By reducing the spread of disease, immunisation not only protects those people who have been immunised, but also protects those in the community who are unable to receive vaccines or are unable to respond to vaccines themselves.
Immunisation is a safe and proven way to be protected against diseases that cause serious illness and sometimes death. Every day immunisation saves lives and makes it possible for Australians to live free from the illness and the disability caused by many vaccine-preventable diseases.
Paul Van Buynder, Chairman of the Immunisation Coalition invited Melburnians to show their support for Influenza Immunisation campaign by capturing and sharing their flu shot moment.
People are invited to join the campaign by uploading their image on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using the hash tag #HitMeWithYourBestShot, bringing awareness to the benefits of being protected and challenging their friends and family to do the same.
In 2016, 90,861 Australians suffered from laboratory confirmed influenza, with many more cases going undiagnosed. These figures only represent the tip of the iceberg but throughout 2016:
- 10% of influenza patients who had to go to hospital were admitted directly into the ICU
- 74% of hospitalised sufferers belonged to the group most at risk of complications from influenza
- It is estimated that approximately 2.3 million Australians aged 35-64 have underlying medical conditions that put them at high risk of severe complications from influenza.
- Only 36% of people 18-64 years old with underlying medical conditions get the annual flu shot to protect themselves from serious and potentially life threatening complications from influenza
Dr Gabriela Khoury the National Coordinator of the Day of Immunology explains the concept, “the Vaccination Café is the perfect place to learn about the benefits of vaccination and your incredible immune system. Melbourne has some of the best immunology research and coffee in the world. This event combines both!”
North Western Melbourne PHN CEO Adj/Associate Professor Christopher Carter said it’s important not to underestimate how serious getting the flu can be.
“The flu can be a whole lot more that a cold – every year thousands of people are hospitalised with influenza and its complications,” A/Prof Carter said.
“That’s why the Vaccination Café is such a great initiative, giving busy people the chance to get a coffee and the best protection against the flu in one go.”
The Immunisation Coalition calls for all Australians to talk to their GPs about their vaccination status at their next appointment.
What: Day of Immunology Vaccination Cafe
When: Friday 28 April
Where: Mebourne Townhall, Swanston Room
For more information, please contact Gabriela Khoury, info@dayofimmunology.org.au