The state's unusually late flu season is showing no signs of slowing down, with cases increasing significantly over the past six weeks.
There have been 917 influenza notifications recorded in the latest weekly reporting period, with 118 patients hospitalised, leading to calls for South Australians - particularly older people at greater risk of severe illness - to get their annual flu vaccination.
Older people remain among those most vulnerable to influenza, with the virus capable of causing serious complications, hospitalisation and death.
The State Government and SA Health are writing to residential aged care facilities across South Australia, reminding providers of their responsibilities to ensure residents have access to recommended vaccinations and encouraging them to review their current vaccination coverage.
Recent data shows some residential aged care facilities have reported influenza vaccination coverage rates below 10 per cent, leaving residents vulnerable to infection and serious illness.
The warning also comes as the state responds to a recent measles outbreak in Adelaide, with multiple cases linked to a growing cluster and extensive contact tracing underway.
The new Aged Care Act, introduced in November last year, requires residential aged care providers to promote and offer recommended vaccinations to residents.
SA Health Chief Public Health Officer Professor Nicola Spurrier said vaccines protected the community.
"The more people who are vaccinated the safer we all are," Prof Spurrier said.
"It is not too late to vaccinate. We are seeing a later flu season this year and despite the warmer weather, it is entirely possible these numbers will continue to rise.
"We strongly encourage everyone, if you haven't already, to contact you GP or immunisation provider to arrange to get you vaccine dose to help protect yourself and others today."
Vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to protect against influenza and reduce the risk of severe illness, particularly for older people and those with underlying health conditions.
The influenza vaccine is free for eligible South Australians through the National Immunisation Program (external site) , including people aged 65 years and over, pregnant women, children aged six months to less than five years, all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from six months of age, and people with certain medical conditions.
South Australians are also encouraged to continue practising good hygiene measures, including washing their hands regularly, covering coughs and sneezes, cleaning commonly touched surfaces, and staying at home when unwell.
Symptoms of influenza can include the rapid onset of fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, sneezing, runny nose, sore throat and cough. Children may also experience nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
While most people recover within a week, influenza can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, and can be fatal in some cases.
