FLU facts

1. Influenza is a highly contagious and potentially deadly disease that can be spread through coughing or sneezing.
2. Influenza is caused by a virus and is not the same as a cold. It can cause serious and debilitating complications such as pneumonia, especially in the elderly and others in the 'at risk' group.
3. Influenza causes 2,500 deaths, 80,000 GP visits and 15,000 hospitalisations in Australia each year amongst at risk groups.
4. 1.2 million Australians aged under 65 are in the 'at risk' group.
5. People with a chronic disease have a 40 times increased risk of death from influenza. A combination of heart and lung disease increases this risk 800 times.
6. Only 42 per cent of the 'at risk' group under 65 years of age are being vaccinated annually.
7. Only 20-50 per cent of health care workers, who are at a greater risk of contracting and spreading influenza, are being vaccinated annually.
8. 15 per cent of influenza related deaths and 60 per cent of hospitalisations are in the under 65 'at risk' group.
9. 10 per cent of all workplace absenteeism associated with illness is due to influenza.
10. Annual vaccination is the single most effective measure to prevent influenza.

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References:

1. The Australian Immunisation Handbook 9th Edition, NHMRC Chapter 3:9
2. The Australian Immunisation Handbook 9th Edition, NHMRC Chapter 3:9
3-5. Influenza vaccination for the 'at risk' Australian adults aged between 18 and 64. Part 2 Cost-of-Illness study of current practice and cost analysis of extending vaccination to all at risk Australian adults. Colgan S, Tay-Teo K, Shik S, and Carter R. Health Economics Group, the University of Melbourne, February 2006.
6. 2004 Adult Vaccination Survey AIHW.
7.Bull A, Bennett N, Pitcher H, Russo P, Richards M. MJA 2007; 186 (4): 185-186.Plus VICNISS Hospital Acquired Infection Project year 4 Report, August 2006.
8. Influenza vaccination for the 'at risk' Australian adults aged between 18 and 64. Part 2 Cost-of-Illness study of current practice and cost analysis of extending vaccination to all at risk Australian adults. Colgan S, Tay-Teo K, Shik S, and Carter R. Health Economics Group, the University of Melbourne, February 2006 plus Piercy and Miles (2003) cited in Colgan report part 1.
9. 'Influenza may account for 10-12% of all sickness absence from work'Occup Med (Lond) 2002 Aug 52 (5) 265-9.