INFLU-INFO INFLUENZA KIT FOR AGED CARE
Philip Ruddock, Member for Berowra today welcomed a new Australian Government information kit to help aged care homes through the flu season.
“The Influ-Info Influenza Kit for Aged Care had been developed to help aged care managers to implement influenza control planning. It will be provided to all Australian Government-funded residential aged care homes.
“The kit includes a quick reference tool and will help aged care homes and staff with information to reduce influenza outbreak risks and ways to care for residents should an outbreak occur,” Mr Ruddock said.
Three steps are recommended for prevention:
• influenza vaccinations for residents and staff of aged care facilities
• monitoring for symptoms and risk factors
• infection control practices.
The influenza vaccine for 2005 is now available. It is provided free of charge for people 65 years of age and over under the National Influenza Vaccine Program for Older Australians. Free influenza vaccine is also provided for Indigenous people aged 50 years and over.
“Pneumococcal vaccine is also now provided free for these groups and I urge aged care providers to also take the opportunity to review pneumococcal vaccination status at the same time as the influenza vaccination,” Philip Ruddock said.
The kit has been developed in collaboration with a range of health care experts and is based on national infection control and immunisation guidelines.
The kit complements this week’s launch of the Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Flu.
The Influ-Info Influenza Kit for Aged Care is available on the internet at: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/Content/ageing-publicat-influinfo.htm and is being distributed to all Australian Government-funded residential aged care homes.