Doctors urge Australians to get flu shots amid concerns of vaccine fatigue

Australian doctors say “vaccine fatigue” is rife in patients, but they warn this is not the year to skip flu shots.

Doctors fear “vaccine ­fatigue” may prevent many Australians rolling up their sleeve for a flu shot, despite forecasts of increased danger from the virus this winter.

With the opening of ­borders, increased movement and relaxation of face mask mandates, this year’s flu season is expected to produce a significant increase in cases and hospital admissions.

But after more than a year of exhaustive efforts to raise Covid vaccination levels across the nation, Bupa chief medical officer Mark Lubliner said it was important that people now ­prioritise their annual flu ­vaccination.

“I know that some of us may have vaccination fatigue, but now is not the time to stop protecting ourselves against the flu,” Dr Lubliner said.

“The flu is not just a bad cold, it can be fatal for vulnerable people.

“Our hospital system ­remains under stress from the Covid-19 pandemic and getting the flu shot will also help take pressure off our hospitals by preventing more severe ­illness,” Dr Lubliner said.

Medical experts fear the 2022 flu season may hit harder than many previous years.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has also raised concerns that the 2022 influenza season will hit harder than many previous years because the public has not been exposed to the virus for two years. Its president, Karen Price, said children born since the start of the ­pandemic had no exposure to the influenza virus in their ­lifetimes.

As well as infants, those over 65 and Indigenous people are at particular risk from the flu, and Dr Lubliner said it was vital to have high vaccination coverage to limit its circulation.

“These viruses are unrelated, so if you’re due for a Covid booster, get your influenza vaccine at the same visit to the doctor or pharmacy,” he said.

Bupa is delivering more than 51,500 flu vaccinations to businesses across Australia to be provided in workplaces or at participating pharmacies.

More than 94.5 per cent of eligible Victorians aged 12 and over have received their second Covid vaccination, and 67.4 per cent of people aged 18 and over have received their third dose of the vaccine.

There have been more than 2880 deaths from Covid-19 in Victoria since the start of the pandemic, and just over 1.5 million cases have been reported.

About 6983 people have died from Covid in Australia, while about 5.7 million Australians have had the disease.