Getting a flu vaccination before winter starts may save you days of coughing, sneezing and having headaches.
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Free flu jabs will be available in Bega on Tuesday from 9am–1pm at the Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre.
Tathra residents and emergency services who took part in the recent Tathra bushfires will be given priority.
The flu vaccine is being provided free for a limited time in communities across the state as part of NSW Health’s $1.75million immunisation campaign following one of the worst flu seasons on record last year, which caused over 650 flu-related deaths.
The best time to have the flu vaccine is in April or May to ensure your protection does not wane before the flu season peaks. The vaccine takes two weeks to be fully effective.
Flu vaccines are now available at most GPs, Aboriginal Medical Services and, for children under five years of age, from council and community centres that routinely provide vaccination services.
Free flu shots are available to members of the community who are pregnant, people over 65 years of age, most Indigenous Australians and those with medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart problems.
But on Tuesday, Southern NSW Local Health District is also making the flu shot available for free to any member of the community at the Bega Civic Centre.
Vaccination is the best protection against the flu, but the following steps also help prevent the spread of influenza:
- Cough and sneeze into your elbow;
- Clean your hands; and
- Stay home when sick.
The Southern NSW Local Health District will be implementing its winter plans for local hospitals, which include procedures for allocating additional resources during periods of high demand, providing free flu vaccinations for frontline health staff and promoting good hygiene practices that help fight the spread of flu.
The NSW Government will spend $22.75million on state-wide immunisation programs in 2017-18, including $3.5million for free flu shots to children up to five years of age to boost protection against flu in our communities
The Sapphire Coast Buslines have added additional Tathra – Bega services on the day thanks to Member for Bega Andrew Constance: