More to flu fight than jabs

A PUSH to protect people against the flu with a “weak” vaccine is overshadowing effective methods such as handwashing and mask-wearing, a health expert warns.

Chris Del Mar, Professor of Public Health at Bond University, has challenged the value of flu vaccinations.

He said the influenza vac- cine had been “oversold” in Australia and hand-washing and mask-wearing should be the focus of flu-prevention campaigns.

Tony Bartone, President of the Australian Medical Association, said health authorities never shied away from the fact the vaccine was not as effective as a number of other vaccines.

Dr Bartone said an ineffective vaccine was partly to blame for last year’s “horror” flu season.

“The effectiveness in our elderly population was probably as low as 30 per cent or even less,” Dr Bartone said.

The last flu season has led to nationwide supply problems of the vaccine, with Tasmanian Director of Public Health Mark Veitch concerned those not eligible for a free flu jab may struggle to get one.

Tasmania has recorded a 25 per cent increase in demand and a higher level of vaccination among the most vulnerable than ever before.

Last year about 1000 people in Australia over the age of 65 died of influenza-related complications, including six in an aged-care facility in Latrobe in the state’s North-West.

Dr Veitch urged Tasmanians in high-risk groups – those aged over 65, pregnant women and those with chronic medical conditions – not yet vaccinated to contact their GP.

However, Prof Del Mar has pointed to a review that found seasonal flu vaccines only reduced the rate of confirmed influenza cases by 1 to 2 per cent.

“Influenza is indeed a true threat to public health and I am not a vaccine sceptic in general, but annual influenza vaccinations do little to protect against serious illness,” he said.

Prof Del Mar said his view was the benefit of influenza vaccine was “very, very weak”.

He urged people not to forget hygiene methods such as handwashing and face masks.

Dr Bartone agreed handwashing was critical but said this year’s flu vaccine promised to be much more effective and should not be overlooked.