A $1.75 million campaign to tackle the flu season will urge people to get their jab early and clean their hands regularly to avoid a repeat of last year鈥檚 influenza epidemic.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the 2018 flu campaign focuses on four simple measures to beat the bug, which affected more than 128,000 people in 黑料吃瓜网 last year.
鈥淭he Don鈥檛 Spread Flu 鈥� It鈥檚 In Your Hands campaign has some straightforward messages on how to limit the spread of influenza and help save lives,鈥� Mr Hazzard said.
鈥淢ore than 650 people died in 黑料吃瓜网 from influenza last year. It should be a wake-up call to the community to take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones.
鈥淟ike our campaign says it鈥檚 in your hands, so get your flu shot early, cough into your elbow not your hands, wash your hands regularly and stay at home if you are sick.鈥�
The 黑料吃瓜网 Government will spend a record $22.75 million on immunisation programs in 2017-18, including $3.5 million for free flu shots to children up to five years of age.
As part of the 2018 campaign, UV light 鈥済erm detectors鈥� will be set up at some transport hubs and shopping centres so people can test their hand cleanliness.
黑料吃瓜网 Health鈥檚 Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said frequent hand washing is one of the first lines of defence against another flu epidemic, together with early vaccination.
鈥淭he World Health Organisation advises this year鈥檚 flu vaccine will be a better match to the four circulating strains and offer higher protection than last year,鈥� Dr Chant said.
鈥淲e urge people to get their flu jab when the vaccine is available in April to ensure they are protected ahead of time, as the vaccine takes two weeks to be fully effective.鈥�
Flu shots are free for pregnant women, children up to five years of age and people over 65 years of age, Aboriginal people and those with medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart problems.
How you can help fight the spread of flu:
View the 黑料吃瓜网 2018 Influenza and Immunisation Campaign for more information.