Geelong woman fears she would not have survived flu unvaccinated

A Geelong woman's devastating bout of flu left her bedridden for weeks – but doctors say it could have been much worse.

Kylie-Margaret Valentine, Aboriginal liaison officer at Barwon Health, believes she would not have survived a vicious bout of the flu had she not been vaccinated. Picture: Mark Wilson

A Geelong woman who believes vaccination saved her life during a vicious bout of flu is urging others not to underestimate the virus.

Her warning comes as Greater Geelong has recorded more than 1967 influenza cases so far this year, according to Victorian Health Department data.

In Geelong, the highest number of flu cases has been recorded among schoolchildren, who represent 15 to 25 per cent of cases.

In 2024, a total of 2599 cases were recorded across the region.

Aboriginal liaison officer Kylie-Margaret Valentine, 58, who suffers from a chronic lung condition, was struck down with influenza for the first time at the beginning of July.

“I’ve got dodgy lungs – I’ve had lung operations, I’ve got asthma and all sorts,” she said.

“I was sicker with the flu than I was with sepsis and pneumonia.”

Ms Valentine said that she was so unwell, she believes she would have died if she was not vaccinated.

“I get my flu shot every year. My doctor lets me know as soon as it’s available,” she said.

“I was so sick. If I hadn’t had my flu vaccination, I really don’t think I would be here. I was just that ill.”

Ms Valentine said she could barely stand upright or take a shower and was unable to eat or drink for about a week due to nausea.

“I wasn’t even watching videos, I couldn’t even go sit out in my loungeroom and watch TV, I wasn’t even doom scrolling on my phone … I was out of it and just sick,” she said.

She said as well as feeling awful she had to take almost two weeks off work, using all of her personal leave.

“You only get so many sick days, and this (the flu) will use them all up and more,” she said.

Barwon South West public health unit director Professor Eugene Athan warned the region had not yet reached the peak of the flu season.

“Influenza is a highly contagious viral infection that can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications,” Prof Athan said.

“Having an annual flu vaccine will not only reduce your chances of catching the flu but also reduce the severity of your illness if you become infected.”

Professor Athan said getting vaccinated was the “best way” to protect yourself and your family from what could be a very serious illness.

“We urge anyone in the community who is able to receive the flu vaccine to get vaccinated as soon as possible, especially very young children, the elderly or those with medical conditions that put them at risk such as those involving the lung or immune system,” he said.

Ms Valentine echoed his calls and revealed three weeks on from being diagnosed, she deal ongoing symptoms, such as fatigue and sore ears.

“It was really awful, but I’m really glad I had my flu vax because I can’t imagine how awful it would have been without it,” she said.

Vaccinations are available at GPs, pharmacies, or Barwon Health’s immunisation program sites.

Originally published as Geelong woman fears she would not have survived flu unvaccinated