The Editor’s Desk

Will you be getting a flu shot this year?
About this time every year businesses, chemists, doctors, workplaces, community health clinics and some schools start mentioning the arrival of the latest flu vaccine and each year it becomes a discussion around the office.
This year the Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee has recommended the Therapeutic Goods Administrator adopt the September 2017 World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for the strains to be covered by the 2018 seasonal influenza vaccines. This year there’s s choice of three or four strains of influenza including one from Brisbane that was developed after last year’s horrendous flu season.Experts say the vaccine lasts three to four months and the peak flu period varies so when is the best time to roll up your sleeve.
AMA president Dr Michael Gannon says late April, early May is the best time.
– Margaret Maccoll