Flu shots are FREE this June! Get yours on campus now
Winter is well and truly here, and so – unfortunately – is the flu. Cases of the highly contagious influenza virus have surged by more than 30 percent in recent weeks, with two years of COVID restrictions meaning there is currently less immunity in the general population.
As you complete your exams and wind down from a busy Trimester 1, it’s vital that you protect yourself against the flu. After all, you don’t want to spend your inter-trimester break in bed with fever, aches, fatigue and chills.
Even if you’re fit and healthy, you can still get very sick from the flu. Influenza can cause a serious infection in the lungs and can make chronic health conditions worse. Some people can even die from influenza and its complications. Because the flu virus is constantly changing, you should get vaccinated annually to maximise your protection, and it’s extra important this year.
The state government has announced that anyone living in Victoria is eligible to receive a free flu vaccination until Thursday 30 June. This includes all international students, regardless of your visa type.
You can get your free flu shot at your on-campus Deakin Medical Centre (DMC) throughout June. From Friday 1 July, it will cost you $20 (it will still be free if you’re a domestic student living at Deakin Res or an international student who holds OSHC cover).
How to get your flu shot on campus
It’s easy to book your appointment online – just choose your campus, click the green ‘book appointment’ button and select the ‘flu vaccination’ option.
If you’re an international student, you must provide an Individual Healthcare Identifier (IHI) so your vaccination can be submitted to the immunisation register. If you don’t have an IHI, apply online now.
During your appointment you must wear a face mask. Please do NOT attend if you’re isolating for COVID-19 on the day of your appointment. If you’re not feeling well or you’re a confirmed contact, visit the Victorian Government COVID Checklist to find out what you should do now.
You can also go to your GP or local pharmacy for a flu shot – but call ahead to check they have stock as sometimes community demand outweighs supply.
What to do if you start to feel unwell
If you do get sick, quarantine yourself and take a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) straight away (or a PCR test if you can’t obtain a RAT). If you:
- test positive for COVID-19: you must report your result and isolate because you are a case
- test negative for COVID-19: book a free appointment with the DMC or contact your local doctor so you can receive further treatment.
If you need medical assistance at your home after hours or on weekends, call the National Home Doctor Service on 13SICK (13 74 25). (This service isn’t available in Warrnambool, so contact your local doctor for after-hours assistance.)
If you can’t get to a doctor, contact NURSE-ON-CALL on 1300 60 60 24. In an emergency, always call Triple Zero (000) or go to your closest hospital emergency department.
For more information, visit our vaccinations webpage or email [email protected] and a nurse will respond during business hours.