Flu Season & Vaccinations
With winter coming along quickly here in western Victoria, now is a good time to ensure that our communities are protected against seasonal influenza. The highest level of protection occurs three to four months after receiving a flu vaccination, with peak influenza outbreaks usually occurring from June to September in most parts of Australia.
Western Victoria Primary Health Network (WVPHN) is encouraging vaccinations to be administered mid-April onwards as per Immunisation guidelines to ensure peak immunity during the influenza season. The National Immunisation Program (NIP) provides influenza vaccines for free for people most at risk, including:
- Children aged six months to less than five years
- People aged 65 years and over; medically at-risk
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- Pregnant women
It’s important to remember that consistent recommendations from health care professionals play an important role in improving vaccination uptake, and that flu vaccines can be co-administered with any COVID-19 vaccine.
More information about influenza vaccinations can be found here.
ANZAC Day
This Tuesday, 25 April, is ANZAC Day. Here at WVPHN we’re planning our own remembrance event this Friday (due to Tuesday’s public holiday). It will be an opportunity for us to remember the bravery and sacrifice of the men and women who gave their lives for their country and their fellow citizens. We are forever grateful for their service, and we will always remember the sacrifices they made for our freedom and our way of life.
2023 Primary Care Conference
Finally, just a reminder from me that registrations for WVPHN’s annual Primary Care Conference have now opened.
Our Workforce Development Team has put a huge amount of energy and thought into this year’s program, and we’re really excited about the range of speakers we have so far lined up, starting with VicHealth CEO Dr Sandro Demaio and National Children’s Commissioner, Anne Hollonds, to many local specialists, GPs, Nurse Practitioners, WVPHN staff and more.
This year’s event takes place over the weekend of 27 and 28 May, and myself and the rest of the WVPHN staff would love to see you there. You can learn more about the PCC2023 and register here.
Rowena Clift, WVPHN CEO
19 April 2023