AsNSW shivers through its first arctic blast of winter, NSW Health is urgingpeople to get their flu shots now as the best protection against thepotentially deadly virus.
NSWHealth's Director of Communicable Diseases, Dr Vicky Sheppeard, said there are sufficientsupplies of flu vaccine available for people eligible for free state-fundedshots, including for children aged under five.
"Gettingthe flu jab now is critical to reducing the risk of having the potentiallylethal virus, particularly as it takes about two weeks for the vaccine toprovide full protection," Dr Sheppeard said.
DrSheppeard said the latest InfluenzaSurveillance Report shows 1843 confirmed flu cases for the weekending 26 May, higher than the 1330 notifications in the previous week.
Therehave been 43 confirmed deaths from flu so far this year, compared with anannual total of 40 deaths in 2018 and 559 in 2017. Surveillance data capturesonly a proportion of people who die with influenza, and people who die withinfluenza often have other underlying illnesses.
"Weurge parents of children under five years of age and those vulnerable to thevirus - like elderly people, pregnant women and those with other illnesses - tovisit their GP as soon as possible for a flu shot," Dr Sheppeard said.
"Children under nine years of age having the shot for thefirst time require two doses, one month apart.
"It'salso important that people who are already ill not visit aged care facilitiesto avoid exposing vulnerable people to catching flu."
Vaccination is the best defence againstflu, but to help prevent its transmission, cough and sneeze into your elbow,clean your hands regularly and stay home when sick.
Flushots are also free under the National Immunisation Program for pregnant women,people over 65 years of age, Aboriginal people and those with medicalconditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart problems.
TheNSW Government is spending a record $22.75 million on statewide immunisationprograms which will assist with flu prevention this season. This includes $2.6million for free flu shots to children up to five years of age and a $1.5million immunisation and influenza awareness campaign.
TheNSW Government has invested approximately $130 million in the 2018-19 ImmunisationProgram budget, including Commonwealth and state vaccines.
NSW Health is encouragingparents to organise their children's flu shots as soon as possible, by collaboratingwith childcare centres and schools, working closely with Local Health Networks and promoting flu vaccination through targeted radio and digitaladvertising.
The latest InfluenzaSurveillance Report is available at: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/Influenza/Publications/2019/weekending-26052019.pdf
