Immunisation protects people against harmful infections before they come in to contact with them in the community. Immunisation uses the body's natural defense mechanism- the immune response- to build resistance to specific infections. Immunisation helps people stay healthy by preventing serious infections.
Parents and other people who come in to contact with young children (including grandparents, carers etc) are commonly carriers of some childhood infections and should be vaccinated against these diseases. For example, several studies of whooping cough cases have indicated that family members and parents in particular were identified as the source of infection in more than 50% of cases. For more information on immunisation visit your local doctor or immunisation provider or go to www.immunise.health.gov.au .

Swine flu is a mild illness in most people; however pregnant women and those with underlying medical conditions may be at increased risk.

The main symptoms of human swine flu are a fever combined with either a cough or sore throat.

Other symptoms may include:
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle or joint aches and pains
• Chills
• Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea have been reported particularly in children

The current flu vaccine will not protect against human swine flu infecton but will protect you against seasonal influenza. The best way to avoid contracting the flu is to adopt effective personal hygiene habits including:
• Washing your hands properly and regularly for at least 15 seconds using soap and water
• Covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing
• Disposing of tissues in an enclosed bin
• Avoiding crowds where possible (keep 1 metre distance between people)

Immunisation Clinics for the Southern Suburbs:

Southern Suburbs

Immunisation Clinics for the South West:

Augusta  Australind  Boyup Brook  Bridgetown  Bunbury  Busselton  Collie  Dalyellup  Donnybrook  Dunsborough  Eaton  Harvey  Manjimup  Margaret River  Nannup  Northcliffe  Pemberton  Walpole

For further information please go to www.health.wa.gov.au/swine_flu/home/
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HPV is the Human Papilloma Virus. Most women with HPV do not develop cervical cancer. HPV is a very common virus spread through genital skin contact during sexual activity. 4 out of 5 women will have it at some time.

There are over 100 types of HPV but just a few of these have been linked to cervical cancer.
Most people will have HPV at some stage of their life and never know it. There are often no symptoms. You may become aware that you have HPV if genital warts appear or you receive an abnormal Pap smear result.

The cervical cancer vaccines currently used in Western Australia is Gardasil. It protects against HPV types 16, 18, 6 and 11.
HPV types 16 and 18 are responsible for around 80% of cervical cancers in Australia.
Gardasil is given in a series of three injections in the upper arm or thigh over a six month period.
The Gardasil vaccine is currently free for all girls aged 12 to 13 years. The free vaccination was introduced in April 2007 by the Australian Government and will be ongoing.

A two year catch up program was also introduced for females aged 14 to 26. The Gardasil was free for this group up until the end of June 2009. However, females aged 14 to 26 can now only access the vaccine through their GP at a cost of around $450.

For further information please go to www.health.gov.au  and follow the links.
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Over 2500 Australians die each year from complications caused by influenza. Less than half of the people most at risk of developing life threatening complications from influenza are being vaccinated annually. They include the elderly, those with suppressed immunity of any age and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Influenza is not a cold. It is a highly contagious disease so immunisation rates must be increased to protect the vulnerable.

Vaccination is the single most effective protection against influenza. Assess your risks, get the facts about flu, and speak with your doctor about the influenza vaccination.

Further information can be obtained by going to www.fightflu.gov.au/questions#d
 

Children from 6 months to 4 years of age are eligible for free influenza vaccine this year. For those children not eligible for funded vaccine, the vaccine can be purchased on a script from your doctor. There may be a fee for the consultation with your General Practioner.
Two doses at least one month apart are recommended for children 9 years of age or younger receiving the vaccination for the first time. The vaccine is very effective even in young children if 2 doses are given.

Your child can get their influenza vaccination at your local GP or your usual immunisation provider.

A vaccination schedule is a recommended series of vaccinations including the suggested timing of all doses that helps reduce the risk of an Adult or child contracting a disease, and also helps reduce the spread of disease. To download the Western Australian Schedule please go to Resources and Websites for Healthy Community. 

Some common diseases that are prevented by vaccination include whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, hepatitis B and haemophilus influenza type b.

It is important to remember that adults require booster shots of vaccinations.
It is recommended that all adults over the age of 65 have an annual influenza vaccination. If you are aboriginal, it is recommended you have an annual influenza vaccination if you are over 50.
All 15 to 49 year old aboriginals who are medically at risk should also have an annual flu vaccination.
A pneumococcal vaccination is also recommended for the above age groups. Speak to your GP for further information.

A single booster dose of adult formulation Pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine is recommended for all adults planning a pregnancy, for both parents as soon as possible after delivery of a baby and for grandparents and other carers of young children. Visit your local doctor or immunisation provider for further information.
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