With influenza on the rise across New South Wales over winter and low vaccination rates compared to other states, GPs are calling on patients to roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated.
The latest data has shown a jump of more than 78% in the number of cases, up from 21,257 in June to 37,895 in July.
The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) is calling on patients to protect themselves and others to minimise the risks of further increases and hospitalisations in August.
Last year, NSW accounted for more than a third of flu related deaths across Australia, 267 of the 783 total.
RACGP NSW&ACT Chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman highlighted a worrying trend of low immunity across the state.
"I've diagnosed more influenza A and B cases in the last few weeks than I have over the rest of the flu season," the Sydney-based GP said.
"And frankly, patients haven't been getting their flu jabs at the same rate as other years. They can certainly help themselves when it comes to the flu vaccine.
"The percentage of people aged 15 and over vaccinated in NSW is below the national average. There is also a shortage of people aged over 65 getting their jabs.
"We would urge them strongly to take action. People aged 65 years and over are more likely to require hospitalisation or have serious complications due to influenza, such as pneumonia or a heart attack.
"Getting a flu vaccine is quick, easy and recommended for everyone aged 6 months and over."
Vaccination is the best way to stop the flu from spreading and protection against severe infection and the Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends everyone receives a flu vaccine each year. In NSW, influenza vaccination is free for patients who are:
children aged 6 months to under 5 years
pregnant
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over
aged 65+
living with serious health conditions.
Dr Hoffman said flu vaccines should be free in NSW, and reiterated her call for free MenB vaccination, which prevents a rare but high-risk meningococcal B infection.
"Cases have almost doubled, and vaccinations are low – flu jabs need to be prioritised for those most vulnerable in our community- it is definitely still not too late to have your flu vaccine!" she said.
"Winter is almost over, but as we saw with the surge in flu cases at the start of the year, you can still get a serious infection in warmer weather.
"We've also called on the NSW state Government to make the MenB vaccine free for all children under two and teens aged 15-19, as well.
"New Zealand has just made that free for young kids and teens, and as have other states. Our patients shouldn't miss out on that protection.
"Meningococcal B is a devastating disease, and kids and young people are the most vulnerable. But a vaccine is available to protect against the risk of death or disability, and we must do more to allow its take up."
All state governments announced free vaccinations when cases surged in 2022.
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