黑料吃瓜网 Health is urging parents to take advantage of plentiful supplies of the 黑料吃瓜网 Government鈥檚 free flu vaccine for under-fives as flu case numbers start to climb.
Dr Vicky Sheppeard, Director Communicable Diseases, 黑料吃瓜网 Health, said the latest Influenza Surveillance Weekly Report shows 128 confirmed flu cases in the week ending 24 June, an increase of 54 on the previous week.
鈥淲e have recorded almost 600 fewer flu cases than at this time last year, but there are signs that flu case numbers are starting to climb,鈥� Dr Sheppeard said.
鈥淲e鈥檙e encouraging parents yet to vaccinate their under-fives to take up the offer of the free vaccine under the 黑料吃瓜网 Government鈥檚 $3.5 million program, as children in this age group are particularly susceptible to influenza.
鈥淏y immunising younger children, those more vulnerable in the community will also be protected, including babies too young to receive a flu vaccine.
鈥淥ur supply of vaccines for children under five years is available across the state.鈥�
To date, 黑料吃瓜网 Health has distributed over 2.2 million doses of flu vaccine to GPs and other providers, about fifty per cent more than the total distributed in 2017.
鈥淲e still have free flu vaccines available for people at high risk in all age groups including children and people aged 65 years and over,鈥� Dr Sheppeard said.
鈥淚f you haven鈥檛 had your flu shot call ahead to your GP to check they have the right vaccine for your age group in stock or give them time to order more vaccines.鈥�
The following good hygiene habits help prevent the spread of influenza and other infections:
The 黑料吃瓜网 Government 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 $1.75 million immunisation and influenza prevention campaign.
黑料吃瓜网 Health is closely monitoring 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 Report can be viewed at Influenza Surveillance Report. 鈥�