Flu kills three Victorian kids, 23 others, as authorities make urgent call to get vaccine

Authorities have made an urgent call on the flu vaccine after 26 people, including three children, have died in Victoria alone.

A three-year-old child is the youngest of 26 people whose deaths have been attributed to Victoria’s early-starting flu season this year.

The youngster, along with two others aged six and 11, were reported to the health department several weeks ago, acting Chief Health Officer Angie Bone confirmed on Tuesday.

The majority of cases were aged-care residents, but there could be others who have died from the flu who had other conditions as the department is not notified of all deaths, she said.

So far 10,683 confirmed flu cases have been reported since the current season started late last year, Dr Bone said.

“It’s certainly not showing any signs of tapering off, but it’s not showing any signs of suddenly taking off with a massive increase,” she told 3AW radio of the flu season.

Health Minister Jenny Mikakos blamed the early season on people travelling when the flu is at its peak in the northern hemisphere.

“We are seeing a lot of communicable diseases spread through overseas travel, that’s certainly been the case in terms of measles cases and flu cases,” Ms Mikakos told reporters.

“We have seen a very significant summer flu season this year as a result of people coming back from the northern hemisphere with the flu and that spreading in the community.” Ms Mikakos said the death of three children was unusual.

“(Juvenile flu deaths) do tend to be associated with situations where there might be other illnesses and vulnerabilities involved with those children,” she said.

Authorities are urging Victorians to get a flu vaccine.

The federal government has a program of flu vaccines for vulnerable people, expanded by the state government, making it free for children under five years old.

“We have put in an order for a record number of flu vaccines this year, two million flu vaccines for Victorians are available,” Ms Mikakos said.

People are being urged to get the flu vaccination.

Queensland’s death toll from the flu stands at 25, with the peak yet to hit.

Queensalders aged in their 20s and 30s are among those who have died this year.

Eighteen were in the at-risk elderly age brackets of 65 years and older.

The influenza virus mutates each year and this year’s strain is proving particularly deadly.

It’s important people are vaccinated each year to ensure they have immunity to the strains most likely to cause an outbreak.

Other states have also been hit hard by the flu this year.

Authorities in South Australia revealed 17 people had died from the flu, including 13 residents of aged care homes.