No, it's not too late to get the flu vaccine health experts insist

Thanks to a rise in cases of two particular illnesses, health experts are warning Aussies that now is actually the perfect time for protection.

We're often told that May is the "magic" month for getting the flu vaccine. It gives the body enough time to prepare for battle when the onslaught of winter bugs do the rounds in June and July, but also carries you through to the shoulder period of winter/spring. 

But thanks to an increase in RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and Influenza A cases in some states of Australia - particularly NSW - health experts are reminding those who haven't got the jab yet that they still have time to protect themselves. 

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Influenza A cases are popping up more and more this winter. Image: Supplied

It's winter virus spreading season

You're not imagining things if you're thinking everyone is sick right now. 

The end of term two hit school kids hard and the snotty noses, sore throats, and coughs are lingering into the winter school holidays. Lucky parents!

So what's getting them down? 

By now you would've heard the fancy name "mycoplasma pneumonia" (or "walking pneumonia") and how it has been entering more and more homes these cooler months.

Common symptoms include a dry cough, fever, and general cold and flu symptoms. In severe cases, it can lead to hospitalisation. 

While families are doing their best to dodge the illness, Aussies have also seen an increase in children being hospitalised with RSV and Influenza A. 

According to recent reports, there have been 117,650 RSV cases alone this year, with many of those cases being reported in NSW, followed by Queensland and Victoria.

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In Queensland, about 20 children were admitted to hospital with influenza just this week and according to 7news, that number is expected to rise to 50 within the next two to three weeks when children return to school. 

Over in South Australia, numbers are also "skyrocketing" according to SA Chief Public Health Officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier, with cases of whooping cough and mycoplasma pneumonia joining in on the upward trend of RSV and Influenza. 

"Winter is definitely here, and that has been accompanied by a surge in colds and flus across Australia," Kidspot's resident GP, Dr Sam Hay, says. 

"There's no doubt we have seen a lot of cases this year."

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No, it's not too late to get the flu jab

With virus' still very much doing the rounds, health experts are urging Aussies to still consider getting the flu vaccine if they haven't already. And that includes the kids. 

Despite being told getting it earlier is better in previous years, the rise in cases is proof that you still need that protection in the coming months. 

“It is not too late to think about prevention. It is not too late to get a flu vaccine,” Professor Spurrier says. 

According to Dr Sam, this doesn't mean you need to panic if you haven't got the jab yet. 

While he says he has certainly seen and heard more and more people catching winter virus' this year, it's all looking normal for this time of year.

"I'd gauge it as a pretty standard year - so far!" he says. 

Still, it's a good time to book in a vaccination for what might come at the end of winter. 

"The risk is that numbers could soar exponentially, so getting a flu shot is definitely recommended - it's never too late," he adds. 

Originally published as No, it's not too late to get the flu vaccine health experts insist