Staff Influenza Vaccination Program 2012
Update 11 May 2012(Correction 14 May 2012): the final session of this year's program is on Wed 23 May 2012 in the Medical Building (Bldg 181) Book your appointment now [UoM login].
On this page:
- Information for individual staff seeking vaccination
- Information for divisions/departments arranging group vaccination sessions
- Health information about this year's vaccine
Information for individual staff seeking vaccination
Eligibility
In 2012, all staff from University faculties and divisions will be eligible for the vaccination.
If you work for a semi-autonomous body or wholly-owned subsidiary, please confirm with your management whether your organisation is participating.
Individual participation is voluntary, though it is encouraged.
Arrangements
- Book your influenza vaccination appointment [UoM network login required]
- Or see the list of planned vaccination sessions [UoM network login required], for planning purposes.
Costs will be paid by your department or division.
Information for divisions/departments arranging group vaccination sessions
Budget division agreement to participate in 2012
For University budget divisions
At the ABAG meeting of 23 February 2012, all University budget divisions agreed to participate in the 2012 program, and to accept charge-outs per head of staff vaccinated.
This differs from previous years, when individual divisions could choose to opt in or opt out.
For semi-autonomous bodies and wholly-owned subsidiaries
Semi-autonomous bodies and wholly-owned subsidiaries that are not governed by ABAG will need to agree to participate (and accept costs) individually. The General Manager OHS wrote to directors and senior administrators of semi-autonomous bodies and wholly-owned subsidiaries in March 2012 to ask them if they wished to participate. Staff from these areas can only be accommodated if we have received a response to this memo.
Costs
The cost of participation in the 2012 program remains at $20.00 per participant. This cost will be charged out to the staff member’s division/department.
Appointing a local contact
Each participating area needs to appoint at least one local contact person to help us arrange the program. This person can then appoint more local contact people (e.g. per department) if desired.
Local contacts: please register your details with us via:
Queries
- Administrative queries: Verity Fisher
- Medical or health-related queries: check the health information directly below on this page, or contact Zoltan Sakal, Occupational Health Nurse.
Health information about this year's vaccine
Flu strains included in the vaccine
The Australian influenza vaccine for the year 2012, as approved by the WHO and the Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee, contains:
- A (H1N1): an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1) - like strain;
- A (H3N2): an A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2) - like strain;
- B: B/Brisbane/60/20 08 - like strain.
Categories of people at high risk for contracting Influenza
Anyone can get influenza. People who are not well to begin with are particularly susceptible to the complications that can follow. If you are in a high risk category, influenza is a very serious and potentially fatal illness, and you are encouraged to take up the vaccination opportunity.
You may be at high risk if:
- you are over 65 years old; or
- you have:
- chronic disorders of the pulmonary or circulatory systems;
- congenital heart disease;
- Cystic Fibrosis;
- severe asthma;
- diabetes mellitus;
- chronic metabolic disorders; or
- renal dysfunction.
Pre-vaccination checklist
Before you are vaccinated, please tell the nurse if you:
- are unwell on the day of vaccination
- have had a severe reaction to any vaccine before
- are allergic to any component of the vaccine
- have an anaphylactic allergy to eggs
- have a history of Guillain-Barré Syndrome.