The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

Should I get the 2022 flu vaccine? And how effective is it?

  • Written by Maja Husaric, Senior Lecturer; MD, Victoria University
Should I get the 2022 flu vaccine? And how effective is it?

Free influenza (flu) vaccines are now available for eligible groups[1], subject to local supply arrangements, with health authorities encouraging booking in from mid April.

For those who aren’t eligible for a free vaccine, flu shots are available now for a small fee (around A$25) from pharmacies and GPs (though you might also have to pay a consultation fee).

This year, you can get your flu shot on the same day[2] as your COVID booster.

Not ‘just the flu’

Influenza is a disease of the respiratory tract. It can cause[3] a runny nose, coughing, sneezing, sore throat, fever and chills, headache and body aches. It can cause vomiting and diarrhoea, which is more common in children.

Influenza affects people of all ages and can cause severe illness and lead to hospitalisation and death, particularly in young children, the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.

The number of cases and deaths in Australia each year fluctuates. In 2019, before the pandemic, 313,000 lab-confirmed cases and 953 deaths[4] were reported. The 2019 case numbers were 2.7 times higher than the five-year average.

In the first two years of the pandemic, flu numbers plummeted due to prevention measures used to content COVID spread.

When do they start working? How long do they last?

Vaccines don’t cause disease in the person. Rather, they prompt the body’s immune system to respond, much as it would have on its first reaction to the actual virus[5].

Read more: You can't get influenza from a flu shot – here's how it works[6]

Flu vaccines stimulate antibodies to develop in the body usually within two weeks following vaccination.

While flu vaccines offer the highest level of protection three for four months after vaccination[7], research suggests antibodies continue to protect against[8] infection 8.5 months after vaccination and 11.8 months[9] after natural infection.

So while antibodies decrease over time[10], they generally last longer than a typical influenza season.

Current recommendations[11] are to get vaccinated from April, before the flu season, which generally occurs from June to September.

Why do we need a flu vax each year?

There are four types (or strains) of influenza viruses: A, B, C or D. Types A and B cause severe disease in humans, and each year the seasonal flu vaccine protects against two A and two B strains.

The four types are related to the presence of specific proteins on the surface of the virus. These surface proteins aren’t stable and often mutate, or change.

When the body encounters these changes, the immune system cannot be activated.

So although the person may have been vaccinated[12] against or infected by a “old” version of the viral strain, the body won’t easily recognise and neutralise the new strain.

Nisha Yunus, a 64-year old residential care aide in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, receiving her immunisation
Our bodies can’t recognise and respond to new flu strains. Province of British Columbia/flickr, CC BY-NC-ND[13][14]

Due to these continuous changes, the World Health Organization[15] reviews and updates its recommendations for the composition of the vaccine annually. It selects the viruses (mutated versions of the virus) most likely to circulate in the coming season.

The Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee[16] uses this recommendation to determine the composition of influenza vaccines for use in Australia.

Our 2022 seasonal flu vaccine protects against[17]:

  • an A/Victoria/2570/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus
  • an A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2)-like virus
  • a B/Austria/1359417/2021-like (B/Victoria lineage) virus
  • a B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus.

However, some vaccines protect against three strains (trivalent, covering one B strain) rather than four (quadrivalent, covering two B strains).

While it’s generally better to get the four-strain vaccine, the success of the vaccine depends on whether it matches (and therefore protects against) the strain or strains dominating that season.

Who should get vaccinated?

Annual vaccination is the most important measure to prevent influenza and its complications.

Vaccination does more than just protect an individual: sufficient vaccination levels across the community can protect members of the community who would otherwise be left vulnerable.

The seasonal flu vaccine is recommended for all Australians aged six months and over.

It’s available for free[18] to the population groups most as risk of severe disease from influenza:

  • people aged 65 years or over
  • children aged six months to under five years
  • pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged six months and over
  • people aged six months or over who have medical conditions[19] that mean they have a higher risk of getting serious disease.

For over-65s, adjuvanted influenza vaccines – which include an immune-stimulant to encourage a stronger immune response – are recommended[20] over standard influenza vaccine.

Read more: High-dose, immune-boosting or four-strain? A guide to flu vaccines for over-65s[21]

How effective are vaccines?

Vaccine effectiveness varies depending on the outcome being measured, the age group affected (as vaccine effectiveness is generally lower in older people), and the match between vaccine and circulating influenza strains.

Estimates of flu vaccine effectiveness is 40-60% in the United States[22] and 30-60% in Australia[23]. This means 30-60% of those vaccinated are less likely to become seriously ill or die from influenza.

Elderly woman gets vaccinated.
Older Australians should receive a vaccine with an added immune-booster. Shutterstock[24]

What about side effects?

Most influenza vaccines are safe[25] in adults and children.

However, they can sometimes cause side effects. These include fever, muscle pain, vomiting, nausea, headache, irritability, injection site reaction and rash.

Serious side effects are rare[26] and include anaphylaxis, an allergic reaction to the nonactive ingredients.

Read more: Should I get the flu shot if I'm pregnant?[27]

References

  1. ^ eligible groups (www.health.gov.au)
  2. ^ same day (www.health.gov.au)
  3. ^ can cause (www.health.gov.au)
  4. ^ 313,000 lab-confirmed cases and 953 deaths (www.abc.net.au)
  5. ^ actual virus (www.immunology.org)
  6. ^ You can't get influenza from a flu shot – here's how it works (theconversation.com)
  7. ^ three for four months after vaccination (immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au)
  8. ^ protect against (www.cdc.gov)
  9. ^ 8.5 months after vaccination and 11.8 months (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  10. ^ antibodies decrease over time (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  11. ^ Current recommendations (www.health.gov.au)
  12. ^ vaccinated (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  13. ^ Province of British Columbia/flickr (www.flickr.com)
  14. ^ CC BY-NC-ND (creativecommons.org)
  15. ^ World Health Organization (www.euro.who.int)
  16. ^ The Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee (www.tga.gov.au)
  17. ^ protects against (www.tga.gov.au)
  18. ^ available for free (www.health.gov.au)
  19. ^ medical conditions (www.health.gov.au)
  20. ^ are recommended (www.health.gov.au)
  21. ^ High-dose, immune-boosting or four-strain? A guide to flu vaccines for over-65s (theconversation.com)
  22. ^ in the United States (www.cdc.gov)
  23. ^ Australia (www1.health.gov.au)
  24. ^ Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)
  25. ^ safe (ausvaxsafety.org.au)
  26. ^ Serious side effects are rare (immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au)
  27. ^ Should I get the flu shot if I'm pregnant? (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/should-i-get-the-2022-flu-vaccine-and-how-effective-is-it-179309

Times Magazine

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Times Features

Tricia Paoluccio designer to the stars

The Case for Nuturing Creativity in the Classroom, and in our Lives I am an actress and an artist who has had the privilege of sharing my work across many countries, touring my ...

Duke of Dural to Get Rooftop Bar as New Owners Invest in Venue Upgrade

The Duke of Dural, in Sydney’s north-west, is set for a major uplift under new ownership, following its acquisition by hospitality group Good Beer Company this week. Led by resp...

Prefab’s Second Life: Why Australia’s Backyard Boom Needs a Circular Makeover

The humble granny flat is being reimagined not just as a fix for housing shortages, but as a cornerstone of circular, factory-built architecture. But are our systems ready to s...

Melbourne’s Burglary Boom: Break-Ins Surge Nearly 25%

Victorian homeowners are being warned to act now, as rising break-ins and falling arrest rates paint a worrying picture for suburban safety. Melbourne residents are facing an ...

Exploring the Curriculum at a Modern Junior School in Melbourne

Key Highlights The curriculum at junior schools emphasises whole-person development, catering to children’s physical, emotional, and intellectual needs. It ensures early year...

Distressed by all the bad news? Here’s how to stay informed but still look after yourself

If you’re feeling like the news is particularly bad at the moment, you’re not alone. But many of us can’t look away – and don’t want to. Engaging with news can help us make ...