{"id":102738,"date":"2015-04-13T19:09:16","date_gmt":"2015-04-13T09:09:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=102738"},"modified":"2020-11-16T10:12:21","modified_gmt":"2020-11-16T00:12:21","slug":"health-team-tackles-flu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2015\/04\/13\/health-team-tackles-flu\/","title":{"rendered":"Health Team Tackles Flu"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Tackle Flu staff wearing the 2015 Tackle Flu shirt are, from left, Roslyn Wharton-Boland, Teresa McGorm, Karen Taylor, Karen Brown and Barbara Griffiths, from Darling Downs South WestQueensland Medicare Local, Dr Penny Hutchinson and David Fraser from DDSWQ MedicareLocal (Photo: DDDHS)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Johnathan Thurston … tackling flu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

April 13, 2015<\/strong><\/p>\n

North Queensland Cowboys player Johnathan Thurston has thrown his support behind this year\u2019s \u201cTackle Flu Before It Tackles You\u201d program.<\/p>\n

The public health program is aimed at protecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged over 15 years from the complications of the flu by encouraging them to receive a free vaccine.<\/p>\n

\u201cTackle Flu\u201d clinics will be held in locations across the Darling Downs and District Health region, including in the South Burnett.<\/p>\n

Last year, more than 1000 people were vaccinated against the flu as part of the program.<\/p>\n

In 2015, Darling Downs Public Health Unit director Dr Penny Hutchinson hopes to see even more receive their flu shots.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of people don\u2019t realise how serious the flu is and the complications that can occur,\u201d Dr Hutchinson said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese complications can lead to hospitalisations and even death. Members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait community are at a higher risk of developing these complications.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe flu can affect anyone, even first grade rugby league players, so we hope (everyone) will follow Johnathan\u2019s lead and get vaccinated this year.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Tackle Flu team will visit Cherbourg on Monday, April 27, from 9:00am to noon.<\/strong><\/p>\n

During the clinic, eligible people who receive their flu vaccination will receive a free shirt designed by Roma artist Michael McGuane.<\/p>\n