MDP 84 GPO Box 9848 Canberra ACT 2601
CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER
MEDIA RELEASE
6th February 2010
CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER MOBILISES GPS TO SUPPORT
PANDEMIC (H1N1) 2009 INFLUENZA VACCINATIONS
Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Jim Bishop, is calling on GPs to promote
vaccination against the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza to their patients before the flu
season begins in Australia.
Professor Bishop has enlisted the support of his GP Roundtable,
which includes
representatives of the AMA, RACGP and the GP Network and he is writing to all GPs in
Australia to ask them to proactively promote vaccination for all people aged 6 months and
above in an effort to stop the spread of swine flu which is expected to be the dominant
influenza strain in 2010.
“New research is showing that an estimated 3 million Australian adults were vaccinated
against H1N1 in the first two months to November, and we have now distributed almost 7
million doses of the vaccine to GPs and immunisation providers. However, we must see
more people vaccinated before the flu season arrives to ensure the community is fully
protected,” Professor Bishop said.
“Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza is similar to seasonal flu but different in some
important ways. Compared to seasonal flu it causes more hospitalisation, more
hospitalisation
in children under 5 and
more admissions to ICU with viral
pneumonia (around 700 in 2009 compared
with around 55 per year for the
previous years).
“Despite the considerable efforts made by family doctors, vaccine clinics and other
immunisation providers, vaccination coverage still remains currently below what
is needed to confidently protect the community against an anticipated second wave
of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza this year.”
Professor Bishop said Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza is expected to return for a
second wave
and probably much earlier than the normal flu season based on
experience from the Northern Hemisphere.
“The return of children to school in the North American autumn was associated
with a substantial increase in the number of cases of pandemic (H1N1) 2009
influenza, an early start to the flu season and a higher influenza peak than usual.
“As the new school year gets underway in Australia, there is a risk pandemic
(H1N1) 2009 influenza will start to circulate again, associated with an early
influenza season here. It takes up to 2 weeks for immunity to develop following
vaccination, so it is important to vaccinate anyone who wants protection against
pandemic (H1N1) 2009 as soon as possible.”
Professor Bishop said while swine flu was mild to moderate in most people and similar to
seasonal flu, it put more people in hospital and in Intensive Care, especially younger ones.
“In the 2009 season, 38% of deaths from pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza occurred in
people with no known risk factors and the median age of death was 53 years, compared
with 83 years from seasonal influenza.
“It is particularly important to vaccinate children, adolescents and young adults as
pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza spreads more readily in these age groups and children
under age 5 years
had the highest rates of hospitalisation in the first wave of the
pandemic,” Professor Bishop said.
“Australia is fortunate to have a free pandemic (H1N1) 2009 vaccine available for all
Australians and I am appealing to GPs, practice nurses and other immunisation providers
to encourage people to get the vaccine early and not wait for the seasonal flu vaccine
which is only free for some people and will be in a more limited supply.”
Media contacts: Kay McNiece, 0412 132 585, Office of the CMO
John Flannery, 0419 494 761, AMA
Dr Emil Djakic, 0428 256 563, AGPN
Dr Chris Mitchell, 0427 878 383, RACGP
NEWS 
