‘Will be rough’: Brutal flu season looms as Qlders snub free jabs

Influenza cases are increasing to a dangerous detonation of the virus across the state, just in time for the upcoming school holidays, as infectious disease experts reveal immunisation rates are “incredibly low”.

Influenza cases are on a steady incline, building up to a dangerous detonation of the virus across the state, infectious disease experts warn.

And with less than a quarter of children under 15 protected by vaccination, fears rise that school holidays will bring widespread sickness.

The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance says Queensland has one of the lowest rates of influenza immunisation in the vulnerable group of children aged six months to five years at 13.8 per cent. Only Western Australia is worse.

Only half of Queenslanders over 65 are jabbed – the state has low rates across all ages.

In the week beginning June 3, the number of notified influenza cases to Queensland Health was 1232, up from 1162 and 909 the two weeks prior.

Flu vaccine take-up rates are low in Queensland.

Numbers are likely to be higher as people soldier on with symptoms rather than go to see a doctor.

“We can’t predict the exact timing of the peak but we know it’s coming and it will be rough season but immunisation rates are incredibly low and that is concerning,” Mater infectious disease doctor Paul Griffin said. “School holidays mean that Queenslanders travel so that helps spread the virus.”

The professor warns that the flu can kill and is a cause for the surges in winter hospitalisations nationwide.

“We know that small children and older Queenslanders are vulnerable. There is a very good vaccine available for free,” he said.

The Queensland government is funding the vaccine for everyone over six months old.

The NCIRS reports that anyone under 65 who receives the jab reduces the chances of getting the flu by 50 to 60 per cent.

Infectious disease expert, Professor Paul Griffin. Pic: Brenton Edwards.

The Queensland Health data shows that Covid numbers for week beginning June 3 dropped to 2036 from 2044 in the previous week. RSV cases also declined, dropping from 1483 to 1345.

The shortfall in the state’s influenza vaccination rates is also a concern for the National Asthma Council.

Joel Ten, a GP and National Asthma Council Australia spokesman, said between 60 to 70 per cent of asthma attacks are due to viral infections such as the common cold or influenza.

“People who have asthma and allergies tend to be hit hard from viral infections so it is important to get vaccines as soon as you can and don’t think it is too late as winter has started,” he said.

“Adults over 60 years of age have higher rates of a serious complications with RSV infection and the National Asthma Council Australia encourages people with asthma aged over 60 years to chat to their GP about the newly approved RSV vaccine that is now available,” Dr Ten said.

Originally published as ‘Will be rough’: Brutal flu season looms as Qlders snub free jabs