Media Release
It’s not too late to vaccinate before flu season kicks Off
Take-up of the free flu vaccine for under-fives has risen following the recent death of a toddler but NSW Health is urging all people eléible for a free flu shot to vaccinate before the flu season kicks off.
NSW Health’s latest Influenza Surveillance Weekly Report shovved 232 confirmed flu cases for the week ending 15 July, much lover than the 2,127 notifications in the week in 2017.
Dr Vicky Sheppeard, Director Comnwnicable Diseases NSW Health, said the nunber Of flu cases across the state rernained low, indiating the flu season has not yet arrived.
“Following reports last week about the death of a srrull child from influenza. there has been a notable increase in parents taking advantage of the free influenza vaccine for children up to five years of age,” Dr Sheppeard said.
“There are plentiful supplies of this vaccine and urge parents to visit their GP sooner rather than later as it takes tvvo væeks for the vaccine to take effect, and children having the shot for the first time require two doses, one rmnth apart.”
The NSW is spending a record $22.75 million on state-wide immunisation programs which will assist with flu prevention this season. This includes $3.5 million for free flu shots to children up to five years of age and a $175 million imnwnisation and influenza prevention campaign
Flu shots are also free under, the National Immunisation Program, for pregnant wornen, people over 65 years of age. Aboriginal people and those ‘Mth medical conditions such as asthnu, diabetes and heart problems.
Dr Sheppeard said it likely the high uptake of the flu vaccine across the community vas one of the many factors behind the slow start to the flu season this year.
“It’s not too late to vaccinate and v’,e’re encouraging everyone, particularly pregnant Wonm and the parents of young children, to arrange the flu shot before the season starts,” she said.
“Vaccination is the best protection against flu but you can help prevent it spreading by coughing and sneezing into your elbow, cleaning your hands and staying honp when sick.”
NSW Health is closely rnonitoring flu case numbers and issuing an Influenza Surveillance Weekly Report every Friday to keep the community up to date on influenza activity.
The Influenza Surveillance Weekly Reports can be viewed on the NSW Health Web Site.
Media contact: NSW Health Public Affairs unit — 02 9391 9121;
After-hours — 02 9962 9890;
Email — media@doh.health.nsw.gov.au.
NSW HEALTH Media
Tel. 02 9391 9121 A/Hours. 02 9962 9890 Fax. 02 9391 9575 Web. www.health.nsw.gov.au
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