Rokeby GP has had enquiries as to the best time to have the influenza vaccine. In response to this, the doctors at Rokeby GP have had a good look at the evidence and discussed it with the manufacturers of FluQuadri.
Based on the below evidence, the best time to receive influenza vaccine would be the end of May/beginning of June. This may significantly increase the effectiveness of the vaccine and it can’t reduce the effectiveness unless we have a flu season occurring earlier than previous data indicate.
However up to a month before (end of April / beginning of May) is still is a reasonable time to have it.
There is mounting evidence(but not definitive proof yet) that the effectiveness of the influenza vaccination may wane after 3-4 months.
The FluQuadri vaccine takes up to 2-3 weeks for full effect. Historically influenza season starts in mid June at the earliest and ends in mid October at the latest, with its peak in July/August/September.
The evidence is strong enough for the state health department to state the below
“For best protection against flu, people are advised to get the flu vaccine in late autumn. This will help ensure they are protected throughout peak flu season, which in Western Australia is usually August. This follows recent evidence that shows flu immunisation may wane after 3 to 4 months.”
This advice and further information supporting these views can be seen at the following addresses.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
http://healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/F_I/flu-Influenza-vaccine
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/cda-surveil-ozflu-flucurr.htm#current
http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2013/01/studies-flu-vaccine-effectiveness-waned-over-2011-12-season