April 7, 2015
South Burnett residents are being urged to organise their annual influenza shots as soon as possible.
Darling Downs Public Health Unit director Dr Penny Hutchinson said there had been a “particularly bad flu season” in the northern hemisphere.
“There were higher-than-average rates of hospitalisations of people with the flu. Aged care facilities in the northern hemisphere were also particularly badly affected by this year’s flu,” she said.
Dr Hutchinson said predictions of the southern hemisphere’s flu season were based on the previous season in the north.
“The vaccination you receive in Australia contains immunity against the strains of flu that were prevalent in the northern hemisphere,” she said.
“This year, the seasonal flu vaccination has become available slightly later than in previous years because the vaccine has incorporated two new strains of the flu.
“The new flu vaccine will ensure that all Australians have the best possible chance of avoiding getting sick this winter.”
Vaccination for people in the following groups is fully funded by the Federal Government and will be available through GPs and hospital and health services from April 20.
- Indigenous people aged over 15 years
- Pregnant women
- People aged over 65 years
- People aged over six months who have a chronic medical condition
- People who have Down Syndrome
- People who are obese (a body mass index greater than 30)
- People who drink heavily
However, Dr Hutchinson recommended that all people, not just those who are deemed “at risk”, should receive the flu vaccination.
“People mistakenly think that if they are healthy, then they can’t get very sick from the flu,” she said.
“But the flu is a highly contagious and potentially serious disease that can lead to further medical complications and hospitalisation.
“By receiving the flu vaccination, you not only protect yourself against illness, you protect those around you.”
Flu injections can be organised via local GPs.
