What Mackay residents need to know about the flu vaccination and where to get one

Residents are urged not to be complacent about their flu jab this year. FIND OUT WHERE TO GET ONE >>>

Mackay residents are being urged to protect themselves this flu season and not get complacent after last year’s plummeting flu cases.

Northern Queensland Primary Health Network chief executive Robin Whyte said with the COVID-19 jab also available, it was important for people to speak to their vaccination provider to manage the timing of both vaccines.

“During much of the flu season last year, we were all protecting ourselves against COVID-19 by staying home, socially distancing where possible, and practising increased hygiene and handwashing,” Ms Whyte said.

“These behaviours helped to stop the spread of not only COVID-19, but also flu viruses in the community, with a 90.7 per cent decrease in lab confirmed influenza cases in the Mackay Hospital and Health Service region in 2020, compared with the previous year.

“This flu season, social distancing restrictions are being relaxed, which may allow flu viruses to recirculate, even if they were hardly seen in 2020.

“Flu is a highly contagious viral infection and vaccination is our best protection against it, so it’s important to not lose sight of making sure we all get our flu jab each year.

“Residents should contact their immunisation provider to make a booking to get their vaccination.”

Mackay resident Darron Elletson received his flu jab on Thursday. Picture: Melanie Whiting

Sydney Street Medical GP Dr Shuren Taylor said this year the timing of people’s flu vaccinations needed to be managed alongside the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines.

“Influenza viruses can evolve and mutate, allowing new strains to emerge each year, against which people may not have immunity,” Dr Taylor said.

“Receiving the vaccine from April allows protection from the flu to develop well ahead of the peak transmission period, which usually falls around July and August.”

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Sydney Street Medical receptionist Belinda O'Reilly talks to GP Dr Shuren Taylor about her flu vaccination. Picture: Melanie Whiting

What you need to know about the flu vaccine:

– The 2021 flu vaccine is available from GPs, community health clinics, Aboriginal Medical Services, pharmacies, and other immunisation providers in Mackay.

– It is recommended that the flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine should be administered at least 14 days apart.

– When you book in for your flu vaccination, remember to tell your vaccination provider or clinic if you have received the COVID-19 vaccine, and when you received it

– Under the National Immunisation Program, free flu vaccines are provided to groups who are at higher risk of complications from flu such as children aged six months to less than five years, all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged six months and over, people with certain medical conditions that increase their chance of severe influenza and its complications, pregnant women, and people aged 65 years and over.

– To find a vaccination provider in your area you can search the National Health Services Directory.

– Residents can also use the COVID-19 Eligibility Checker to find out if they are eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

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Originally published as What Mackay residents need to know about the flu vaccination and where to get one