NSW Health is urging people travelling to the Northern Hemisphere this festive season to have a flu shot before they leave so they don’t bring the virus back home with them.
Acting Director of Communicable Diseases for NSW Health, Dr Christine Selvey said the early start to this year’s very long flu season was probably due to a large jump in summer flu numbers.
“Getting the flu while you’re travelling overseas will not only spoil your holiday but it can also put your family and friends at risk, particularly infants and the elderly, when you arrive back home,” Dr Selvey said.
“People are great at getting their flu jab ahead of our own winter but often forget when they fly to the Northern Hemisphere at Christmas that they are travelling into another winter season,” she said.
“The effectiveness of the flu vaccine starts to diminish after a few months, so to ensure you are covered over the holiday season, it is best to get another jab two weeks before leaving Australia.”
Dr Selvey said it was safe to have two flu shots in one year and it was particularly important for travellers aged 65 and over, pregnant women, children aged six months to five years, Aboriginal people and people with certain medical conditions.
“It takes a fortnight after receiving a flu shot for your body to develop adequate protection,” she said.
Dr Selvey said the flu shot currently being used in the Northern Hemisphere was not generally available in Australia, so receiving the Southern Hemisphere flu shot was the best option for protection prior to travel.
