At Saltwater Medical we strongly believe in the importance of preventative health, which is why we recommend the 2017 flu vaccine for all our patients over 6 months of age. This flu season the vaccine will be available to be administered by Dr Nicola in a monitored environment in our dedicated Saltwater Medical flu vaccine clinics.
The vaccine is available as either:
- A no-gap service for patients who meet the government funded criteria (see list below), or
- A $20 out-of-pocket service for all other private patients
Convenient Saturday morning clinics during April and May
Did you know the latest evidence suggests that protection from the flu vaccine begins to wane 3-4 months after it is administered, and that peak flu season is expected to be in August this year? For this reason, timing is important, which is why we’re scheduling our vaccination clinics for patients in April and May this year.
And because we know it can be tricky to get into the practice during the week, we’re offering dedicated Saturday morning vaccination clinics between 8am-12pm on the following dates:
- Saturday 22 April | 8am-12pm
- Saturday 6 May | 8am-12pm
- Saturday 20 May | 8am-12pm
Eligibility criteria for 2017 the no-gap government subsidised vaccine:
- People aged 65 years and over
- Pregnant women
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait people aged six months to less than five years
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 years and over
- People aged six months and over with medical conditions that can lead to complications from influenza (e.g. severe asthma, lung or heart disease, low immunity or diabetes)
Talk to your Doctor if you’re unsure whether you qualify for the government funded vaccine.
How to book
Bookings are strictly limited and can be made in person, online or by calling 5301 9828.
Cost
The cost of our vaccine service varies depending on whether you qualify for the government funded vaccines – see table below.
| Patient Type | Fee (what you pay after your consult) |
Medicare rebate (what you get back from Medicare) |
Out-of-pocket Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patients eligible for GVT funded vaccine | $16.95 | $16.95 | $0 |
| Private patients | $36.95 | $16.95 | $20 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the best time to get vaccinated?
Evidence suggests protection from the flu vaccine begins to wane 3-4 months after it is administered. Because peak flu season is expected to be in August this year, timing of your shot is important, which is why our clinics are scheduled for late April and May.
Can you get influenza from a flu vaccine?
No. There is no live virus in the flu shot. The mild symptoms some people get after vaccination are usually related to the vaccine generating an immune response. This is how vaccines work — they train your immune system to recognise parts of the influenza virus, so it can respond when it encounters the real thing.
Can the flu vaccine stop me from getting the flu?
The flu vaccine doesn’t provide complete protection. The risk of influenza is reduced by about 40-50 per cent in vaccinated people. While this might seem low, we think reducing the risk by half of being laid up with shivers, sweats and muscle aches, not to mention the time off work, or possibly being hospitalised is well worth the effort.