Health authorities in Victoria have urged parents to ensure their children are vaccinated against the flu amid a 37 per cent increase in cases in those aged under five.
University of Sydney Virologist Professor Anthony Cunningham Tony Cunningham says Australia is entering the time of the year where people need to “think about immunisation” against the flu.
His comments follow Australia experiencing an early wave of the flu season.
“Particularly for people in the most vulnerable groups,” he told Sky News Australia.
“But particularly for people over the age of 65 … six months to five years, and in First Nations people any time over the age of six months, vulnerable people also who have heart and lung disease and who have impairment of their immune system.
“They really must protect themselves against influenza.”
Flu cases in Victorians rose across all age groups in Victoria in the fortnight to June 15 but the biggest increase was in those aged under five.
The health department on Wednesday said in that age group flu cases were up 37 per cent.
Authorities are concerned about low vaccination rates in under fives, with just 23 per cent in that age group receiving their flu vaccination this season.
“We’re expecting flu cases to keep rising in the weeks ahead so it’s critical people book in their flu vaccination now, particularly for those groups at higher risk of severe illness such as children,” Chief Health Officer Dr Clare Looker said.
“The flu vaccination is free for children and other high-risk groups and is widely available across GPs, pharmacists and other providers.”
Health authorities in Victoria have urged parents to book their children are vaccinated against the flu amid a surge in cases. Picture: Getty Images
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Across Victoria, more than 20,000 flu cases have been reported so far this year.
Between April and June alone, notified flu cases have quadrupled and there has been a six-fold increase in emergency department presentations.
Dr Looker said receiving the flu vaccine offered the best protection against infection and severe illness.
“Flu is highly contagious and while most people may only experience mild to moderate symptoms, for some it can be deadly,” she said.
Meanwhile, figures from New South Wales for the week to June 15 show “influenza activity continues to increase and is now at a high level, with the number of presentations to emergency departments increasing and the number of influenza notifications also increasing”.
“Test positivity for influenza, which is a key indicator of activity, has increased to 15.6 per cent,” NSW Health said.