Influenza vaccination: is it worth it?

Australian government policy is to offer influenza vaccine every autumn to all Australians over the age of 65 and to those of any age who suffer from any chronic condition that predisposes to serious complications following influenza. Despite this clear advice from NHMRC and the financial incentives provided by Medicare and the PBS, less than one in three of this vulnerable cohort receives the vaccine. In this article the medical profession is exhorted to encourage and facilitate influenza vaccine delivery to the old and to the frail.