For Australians planning international travel, particularly to the northern hemisphere, health experts advise adding a crucial item to the pre-departure checklist: a second influenza vaccination.
The Case for a Second Vaccination
Protection from a flu shot is not permanent, typically waning after three to four months. If you received your initial vaccination in April or May, your immunity may be significantly reduced by the time you travel later in the year.
Consequently, Australian health authorities now recommend a second flu shot for those travelling to the northern hemisphere during its influenza season (October to May). This second dose boosts your immunity, providing optimal protection against the flu while you are abroad.
For those who have not yet received any flu shot this year, vaccination is strongly encouraged. As of early July, Australia has recorded over 167,000 confirmed influenza cases.
To ensure effectiveness, a second shot should be administered at least four weeks after the first, and ideally, a minimum of two weeks before your departure to allow sufficient time for your body to build immunity.
Who Should Prioritise a Second Shot?
Certain travel scenarios and individual health factors increase the risk of contracting influenza. A second vaccination is strongly advised for:
- Cruise passengers: The confined environment of a cruise ship, with thousands of people sharing facilities like restaurants and entertainment venues, creates an ideal setting for rapid virus transmission.
- Participants in group tours and large events: Bus tours, music festivals, and major cultural gatherings bring large crowds together, often indoors or in shared transport, heightening the risk of exposure.
- Attendees of pilgrimages and religious gatherings: Events like Hajj, Lunar New Year, or Ramadan can attract millions of international visitors, leading to crowded conditions where respiratory viruses spread easily.
- High-risk individuals: People over 65, or those with underlying medical conditions such as severe asthma or diabetes, are more susceptible to severe illness from the flu. A second shot is a key protective measure for this group when travelling.
Vaccine Type, Availability, and Cost
Each year, health authorities develop separate flu vaccines for the southern and northern hemispheres to target the most prevalent regional strains. While it would be ideal for travellers to receive the northern hemisphere vaccine, it is not available in Australia.
The recommended alternative is to receive a second dose of the current southern hemisphere vaccine before you leave. While getting vaccinated overseas is an option, it would leave you unprotected for the first two weeks of your trip and require navigating an unfamiliar healthcare system.
Flu shots are readily accessible at local pharmacies and GP clinics, with many pharmacies offering walk-in appointments. The cost is typically around A$25. While the first annual shot is free for eligible groups (including people over 65, pregnant individuals, and those with specific medical conditions), a second dose required for travel is usually an out-of-pocket expense.
It is best to consult your GP or pharmacist to determine the most appropriate vaccine for your circumstances and to discuss potential mild side effects, such as tiredness or injection site soreness, which typically resolve within two days.
Protecting Your Health and Your Holiday
Influenza is more than a minor inconvenience; it can lead to serious illness, forcing trip cancellations and potentially resulting in hospitalization in a foreign country. By getting vaccinated, you not only protect yourself but also reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to others who may be more vulnerable. Ensuring your flu immunisation is up to date is a simple but vital step to safeguard your health and your travel plans.
