Renewed call to get jabbed amid ‘triple virus’ warning

Health experts remain concerned about Covid-19 and other flu-like viruses heading into winter and are urging Aussies to get jabbed before the end of May.

There are fresh calls for Aussies to get vaccinated ahead of the winter cold and flu season, amid warnings of a virus “triple threat”.

Health insurer Bupa is leading the charge, claiming the flu season this year will arrive earlier than expected, and be worse than last year – with a higher rate of hospitalisations, based on modelling from the northern hemisphere’s recent flu season.

Medical experts are concerned about a ‘triple threat’ of Covid-19 and other flu-like viruses this winter. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Bupa’s chief medical officer, Dr Tony MacDermott, says it’s building to a “perfect storm” of Covid-19 and other flu-like illnesses.

“The best protection will always be prevention, and our advice to people who are due for their Covid booster is to get their flu shot together with their Covid booster ahead of the winter season,” says Dr MacDermott, who is urging Australians to get their jabs by the end of May.

“Each virus is different, affecting individuals in different ways, so it’s important to get both shots – they’re perfectly safe to receive on the same day.

“The higher risk of being hospitalised with the flu this year means it’s even more important to get vaccinated, especially for high-risk groups.

Bupa Health Insurance is urging Australians to get their jabs by the end of May, after similar warnings from Terry White Chemmart in March. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Tertius Pickard

“With Australians effectively back to normal lifestyles, we’re expecting to see more Covid and flu cases this year. Our hospitals remain under strain, so protecting yourself and potentially avoiding a hospital visit will also help take some pressure off the health system.”

TerryWhite Chemmart and the Australian National University’s infectious disease expert, Dr Nick Coatsworth, issued similar warnings in March.

Bupa’s chief medical officer, Dr Tony MacDermott, says a ‘perfect storm’ of Covid-19 and other flu-like illnesses is brewing. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

After relatively low flu cases during the height of the Covid pandemic in Australia, a quarter of a million cases were recorded in 2022, with 300 people dying, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

A Southern Hemisphere Influenza and Vaccine Effectiveness Research and Surveillance study from 2018 showed flu vaccination among adults reduced the risk of being admitted to an intensive care unit with flu by 59 per cent.

And a 2012 study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases found flu vaccination reduced childrens’ risk of flu-related paediatric intensive care unit admission by 74 per cent.