Workplace Flu Program

Council's Immunisation Service offers influenza vaccinations to eligible Maroondah businesses.

What is influenza?

Influenza, also known as the flu, is a highly contagious viral infection that can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications, including pneumonia.

The flu spreads from person to person via saliva, sneezing, coughing and runny noses. People are usually contagious before their symptoms begin and for up to one week after symptoms start.

The influenza vaccine is currently the most effective measure available to prevent the flu.

Workplace Flu Program

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been reduced circulation of influenza virus in the community and lower levels of influenza vaccination coverage compared with previous years. With the borders reopening, a resurgence of influenza is expected for 2022.

Workplace flu sessions can ensure your staff remain healthy during the flu season. Benefits of having a Workplace Flu Program include:

• reducing the spread of the flu
• maintaining productivity
• reducing the cost of absenteeism at work
• investing in your staff’s health and increasing staff morale.

Why book with us?

• Council has been delivering Workplace Flu programs for over 25 years.
• Our immunisation nurses are highly experienced.
• We will come to your workplace to administer the influenza vaccines if you book for minimum 23 staff or you can organise your staff to attend one of our several public immunisation sessions.
• Pregnant women, persons aged over 65 and persons with certain medical conditions are more vulnerable to the flu virus and can receive the flu vaccine for free with no administration fee.

• Your staff will receive information regarding preventing the flu.  

What else should staff know?

• You can’t get flu from the flu vaccine. The flu shot is safe and effective and doesn’t contain any live virus, so it can’t give you the flu. Some people may have had the experience of 'flu-like symptoms' with a previous flu shot. These may be mild reactions to the vaccine, or a different cold virus or (unluckily) they might have already been incubating flu when they got their shot. The vaccine gives protection about two weeks after the shot.
• The flu vaccine should be received every year. The flu shot changes every year to match different strains of the flu. People who are vaccinated against flu every year are better protected than those who are not vaccinated.
• If your staff are currently eligible and planning to have their COVID-19 vaccine or booster, ATAGI has advised that the flu vaccine can be co-administered (on the same day) with a COVID-19 vaccine or anytime before or after. There may be a slight increase in mild to moderate symptoms following the COVID-19 vaccine.

Council is not able to offer COVID-19 vaccine at this time. To find out where to get a COVID vaccine, please visit: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccine.