nosferatu_dj
19-07-2009, 04:38 PM
http://www.theage.com.au/national/flu-shots-for-pregnant-women-aborigines-20090719-dpjo.html
Flu shots for pregnant women, Aborigines
Mark Davis
July 20, 2009
WOMEN who are pregnant, people with chronic diseases and Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders will be offered free vaccinations against influenza by the Federal Government.
Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon said yesterday the free vaccine program would be extended from January to an extra 2.2 million people vulnerable to severe cases of seasonal influenza.
Ms Roxon said the program already provided free flu shots to 2.5 million people, including all those aged 65 years and over and all Aborigines over 50.
The Government would now spend $44 million over four years to extend the program to women who were pregnant, non-Aborigines at risk of severe outcomes from influenza, such as those with chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes, and Aborigines aged 15 to 50.
Ms Roxon said the rapid spread of swine flu had highlighted how many people could be affected by any serious strain of influenza.
"I think this whole situation with swine flu is reminding us that influenza is a serious disease," Ms Roxon said on Channel Nine.
"Most people will get it quite mildly but there are people that are vulnerable in our community and we need to protect against the harm that might be caused, particularly for those people."
She said human trials for a vaccine against the H1N1 influenza strain, or swine flu, would start next week.
Results were expected in September.
The Government had placed an order for 21 million doses of the new vaccine and expected it would be available from October.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/newshome/5735524/free-seasonal-flu-vaccine-for-selected/
Free seasonal flu vaccine for selected
AAP July 19, 2009, 10:19 am
Aborigines and pregnant women will receive free access to the flu vaccine, federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon says.
The federal government announced an expansion of the free vaccine program for vulnerable Australians as swine flu continues to spread.
The seasonal vaccine will be available to more than two million extra Australians.
Previously only about 2.8 million people aged 65 and over were eligible for the vaccine.
"Today we are announcing that the seasonal flu vaccine will be available free of charge to more than two million extra Australians, particularly pregnant women and indigenous Australians," Ms Roxon told the Nine Network on Sunday.
"I think this whole situation with swine flu is reminding us that influenza is a serious disease.
"Most people will get it quite mildly but there are people that are vulnerable in our community and we need to protect against the harm that might be caused, particularly for those people."
Ms Roxon said the government decided to extend the vaccine program on medical advice.
It was possible that there would be a combined vaccine for both seasonal and swine flu next year, she said.
"It's really too early for us to know, but obviously if there was, this extension would benefit more than an additional two million people, bringing it up to about four-and-a-half million who get protection through that free vaccine program."
Ms Roxon said the respiratory diseases associated with swine flu could have complications for pregnant women, particularly in the last trimester when there was significant pressure on their lungs.
However, she did not recommend pregnant women wear masks, urging them instead to practise good hygiene, stay clear of those who are sick and seek early help if they develop flu symptoms.
Ms Roxon said Tamiflu was generally effective and safe for pregnant women, but there was "isolated evidence" the swine flu was becoming resistant to the drug overseas.
"I do agree with doctors that we have to be careful not to over prescribe this medication. It's why we're urging people, the vast majority who have mild symptoms, not to take Tamiflu unless they are in a vulnerable category and unless their doctor recommends that it's necessary."
To date, 31 Australians with swine flu have died. Ms Roxon said 194 people remained in hospital with the disease, more than a third of whom were in intensive care.
She said she expected the outbreak to persist for months to come but believed the worst was almost over.
Victoria was past the peak and other states were reaching theirs.
Ms Roxon said swine flu had put "extreme pressure" on hospitals and elective surgery may be delayed as a result.
However, the disease was tracking the same as the 2007 seasonal flu, which was the worst for several years.
"So, I think what we're seeing increasingly is a substitution of the swine flu instead of the seasonal flu, rather than an additional burden."
Flu shots for pregnant women, Aborigines
Mark Davis
July 20, 2009
WOMEN who are pregnant, people with chronic diseases and Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders will be offered free vaccinations against influenza by the Federal Government.
Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon said yesterday the free vaccine program would be extended from January to an extra 2.2 million people vulnerable to severe cases of seasonal influenza.
Ms Roxon said the program already provided free flu shots to 2.5 million people, including all those aged 65 years and over and all Aborigines over 50.
The Government would now spend $44 million over four years to extend the program to women who were pregnant, non-Aborigines at risk of severe outcomes from influenza, such as those with chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes, and Aborigines aged 15 to 50.
Ms Roxon said the rapid spread of swine flu had highlighted how many people could be affected by any serious strain of influenza.
"I think this whole situation with swine flu is reminding us that influenza is a serious disease," Ms Roxon said on Channel Nine.
"Most people will get it quite mildly but there are people that are vulnerable in our community and we need to protect against the harm that might be caused, particularly for those people."
She said human trials for a vaccine against the H1N1 influenza strain, or swine flu, would start next week.
Results were expected in September.
The Government had placed an order for 21 million doses of the new vaccine and expected it would be available from October.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/newshome/5735524/free-seasonal-flu-vaccine-for-selected/
Free seasonal flu vaccine for selected
AAP July 19, 2009, 10:19 am
Aborigines and pregnant women will receive free access to the flu vaccine, federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon says.
The federal government announced an expansion of the free vaccine program for vulnerable Australians as swine flu continues to spread.
The seasonal vaccine will be available to more than two million extra Australians.
Previously only about 2.8 million people aged 65 and over were eligible for the vaccine.
"Today we are announcing that the seasonal flu vaccine will be available free of charge to more than two million extra Australians, particularly pregnant women and indigenous Australians," Ms Roxon told the Nine Network on Sunday.
"I think this whole situation with swine flu is reminding us that influenza is a serious disease.
"Most people will get it quite mildly but there are people that are vulnerable in our community and we need to protect against the harm that might be caused, particularly for those people."
Ms Roxon said the government decided to extend the vaccine program on medical advice.
It was possible that there would be a combined vaccine for both seasonal and swine flu next year, she said.
"It's really too early for us to know, but obviously if there was, this extension would benefit more than an additional two million people, bringing it up to about four-and-a-half million who get protection through that free vaccine program."
Ms Roxon said the respiratory diseases associated with swine flu could have complications for pregnant women, particularly in the last trimester when there was significant pressure on their lungs.
However, she did not recommend pregnant women wear masks, urging them instead to practise good hygiene, stay clear of those who are sick and seek early help if they develop flu symptoms.
Ms Roxon said Tamiflu was generally effective and safe for pregnant women, but there was "isolated evidence" the swine flu was becoming resistant to the drug overseas.
"I do agree with doctors that we have to be careful not to over prescribe this medication. It's why we're urging people, the vast majority who have mild symptoms, not to take Tamiflu unless they are in a vulnerable category and unless their doctor recommends that it's necessary."
To date, 31 Australians with swine flu have died. Ms Roxon said 194 people remained in hospital with the disease, more than a third of whom were in intensive care.
She said she expected the outbreak to persist for months to come but believed the worst was almost over.
Victoria was past the peak and other states were reaching theirs.
Ms Roxon said swine flu had put "extreme pressure" on hospitals and elective surgery may be delayed as a result.
However, the disease was tracking the same as the 2007 seasonal flu, which was the worst for several years.
"So, I think what we're seeing increasingly is a substitution of the swine flu instead of the seasonal flu, rather than an additional burden."