Decision Aid 

This decision aid is aiming to provide adequate information for you to help you decide whether to immunise your child with the influenza (Flu) vaccine.

Click here to download a copy of the ISG Decision Aid

Influenza & Pregnancy - A Guide for Doctors & Midwives

Pregnant women are an important "at risk" group for influenza vaccination. As the immune system is naturally suppressed during pregnancy, this leads to increased chance of contracting the flu. Due to this, pregnant women are at higher risk of severe complications associated with the virus.

Click here to download a copy of the IC Pregnancy Guide

Influenza - 2019 Guide for General Practitioners

GPs have an important role in prompting patients to consider the benefits of influenza vaccination and addressing concerns about efficacy and safety.

The guide for general practitioners provides useful information about influenza and vaccination, along with tips on how to facilitate influenza vaccination programs in general practice.

The guide is available in hard copy from the IC office, or maybe downloaded in pdf form here:

Click here to download a copy of the 2019 Influenza Guide for General Practitioners

Pneumococcal Disease 2019 - A Guide for General Practitioners

Anyone can contract Pneumococcal disease, though some groups are at heightened risk. The disease is caused by the bacterium, Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus). Infection usually starts with a colonising event in the nose and throat, which is asymptomatic, and most infections do not amount to anything beyond colonisation. Some, however, spread locally or invasively to cause disease. 

The Pneumococcal Disease Guide for General Practitioners provides useful information about clinical features of the disease, as well as information on transmission, antibiotic resistance, and vaccination recommendations.

Download a copy of the Pneumococcal Disease Guide here

Antiviral Treatments for Influenza 2019 - A Guide for General Practitioners

Specific antiviral medications active against influenza viruses have been available on prescription in Australia for over a decade, but they have not been widely used here other than during the 2009 pandemic. This may reflect lack of familiarity with their use, uncertainty about which patients have influenza, and uncertainty about which patients will derive the greatest benefit.

The guide for general practitioners provides useful information about influenza and antiviral medications.

The guide is available in hard copy from the IC office, or maybe downloaded in pdf form here:

Click here to download a copy of the Antiviral Guide for General Practitioners.

Discussion papers

Vaccination against influenza safely and effectively reduces the risk of infection, and treatments are now available to alleviate the duration and severity of symptoms if infection occurs. Yet while Australia has made excellent progress in targeting those aged 65 and older, the majority of younger at-risk individuals remain unprotected. Publications, from the Influenza Specialist Group, review current issues in the prevention and treatment of influenza.

Go to ISG Discussion Papers 

Economic Report into the Cost of Influenza

Influenza is a largely preventable communicable viral illness. Treatment of influenza and its complications consume considerable resources that could otherwise be used for other essential healthcare resources.

Click here to download a copy of the ISG Economic Report into the Cost of Influenza