The ACT Government is encouraging Canberrans to book a flu shot ahead of this year's flu season. This is particularly important for older ACT residents and those from higher risk groups, and we are urging them to get vaccinated as soon as possible before the start of winter.
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith and ACT Chief Health Officer Dr Kerryn Coleman launched the 2020 flu vaccination campaign today, advising Canberrans that this year it is more important than ever to get vaccinated.
"As we head into winter, we are preparing for flu season and a possible increase of COVID-19 cases in the ACT. Reducing the spread of influenza this year will help to alleviate the pressure on our health system and health care workers as they work to respond to COVID-19.
"We do not want to see people contracting influenza and COVID-19 at the same time. This is particularly important for those aged 65 years and over who, in addition to being at greater risk of complications from influenza, are also more at risk of becoming seriously ill with COVID-19.
"We strongly encourage those who are eligible for a free influenza vaccine through the National Immunisation Program to get vaccinated now." said Minister Stephen-Smith.
The flu vaccine is free in the ACT for people most at risk of influenza complications, including:
- children aged 6 months to under 5 years
- people 65 years of age and older
- pregnant women
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and older
- people aged 6 months and over with underlying medical conditions
ACT Chief Health Officer Dr Kerryn Coleman said it was important to understand that while the flu vaccine will not protect against COVID-19, we strongly recommend everyone gets the flu vaccine.
"There is no vaccine at this time for COVID-19, but the flu vaccine will help reduce your chance of getting both viruses at once.
"In the first three months of this year, there have been 300 cases of influenza notified to ACT Health. For the same period in 2019, there were 393 notified cases of influenza. While current flu activity remains low, now is the time for those most vulnerable to get immunised as it can take two weeks to develop immunity.
"The flu vaccine is available at your GP, local pharmacy or ACT Government Early Childhood Immunisation Clinic. These providers are complying with social distancing requirements to protect the community so it's really important to make sure you get your flu vaccine now," Dr Coleman said.
Annual vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and over as the most effective way to protect against the flu.
