How to protect yourself and your community this flu season?

In order to guard against serious sickness, people in NSW are being asked to schedule their influenza vaccination in advance of the 2024 flu season.
More than 4,700 persons in NSW were diagnosed with influenza in the last four weeks, according to the most recent respiratory surveillance report. This is a 16% increase from the previous year.
480 admissions for influenza-like illnesses were made to NSW hospitals between January 6, 2024, and April 14, 2024. This is contrasted with 284 in 2023 for the same time frame.

Before winter arrives, the NSW government is urging people to make an appointment for the influenza vaccination with their neighbourhood doctor or pharmacist. People who are considered to be at higher risk of severe illness from influenza are eligible for a free flu vaccine.

Priority groups include:

• children aged 6 months to under five years
• people aged 65 and over
• Aboriginal people from 6 months of age
• pregnant women
• those with serious health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, immune disorders, obesity, severe asthma, kidney, heart, lung or liver disease.

NSW Health also recommends considering getting a COVID-19 booster at the same time as the flu vaccination.

“Influenza is highly contagious, and it can be life-threatening, especially for vulnerable groups such as young children, pregnant women, older adults and people who have chronic medical conditions. Getting the flu jab is the best way to protect yourself and the wider community,” Premier Chris Minns said.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation’s latest COVID-19 vaccine advice recommends:

• a COVID-19 vaccination every six months for all adults aged 75 years and over,
• a COVID-19 vaccination every 12 months for adults aged 65 – 74 years, and adults aged 18 – 64 with severe immunocompromise; these people can consider a vaccination every 6 months,
• a COVID-19 vaccination every 12 months can be considered for all other adults aged 18 – 64 years, and those aged 5 -18 years with severe immunocompromise.

Some steps to help protect ourselves from COVID-19 and flu include:

• stay up to date with recommended influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations
• stay home if you have cold or flu symptoms and wear a mask if you need to leave home
• gather outdoors or in well-ventilated indoor spaces
• talk with your doctor now if you are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 or influenza to make a plan about what to do if you get sick, including what test to take, and discussing if you are eligible for antiviral medicines
• don’t visit people who are at higher risk of severe illness if you have cold or flu symptoms or have tested positive to COVID-19 or influenza
• consider taking a rapid antigen test before visiting vulnerable loved ones, particularly when COVID-19 transmission is moderate or high in the community.

“Influenza has started to increase in some parts of Australia, and it’s expected to start to increase across NSW soon, so it is very important you get vaccinated to protect yourself and others as you don’t want to end up in hospital or put vulnerable community members at risk.

“Everyone six months and older is recommended to get a flu vaccine and these are available through GPs for any age group, as well as through pharmacies for everyone aged five years and over,” Minister for Health, Ryan Park stated.