Doctor’s warning ahead of grim flu season

Queenslanders have been warned not to be complacent over flu shots, with doctors saying vaccines were “more important than ever” this year, especially for children.

Just 3 per cent of children under five have been vaccinated against the flu even though doctors warn influenza is much more dangerous for small children than Covid-19.

Growing fears that a bad flu season will hit Queensland is backed by new data released in the 2022 Influenza Report Card, released by vaccine manufacturer Sanofi.

The Northern Hemisphere’s flu season is a predictor to what the Southern Hemisphere is likely to face and the numbers of cases there are soaring compared to last year. In 2020/21 there were 6636 cases and in 2021/22 it’s a massive 192,531.

Australian numbers have hit 2714 so far this year while in 2021, due to strict Covid measures, the flu virus was contained to 598.

While the numbers remain small there are seven times more hospitalisations in 2022 compared to last year.

“Looking at the numbers we can see the flu is returning. Whether we are hit badly this winter or next year, Queenslanders need to get vaccinated now. Peak flu season is August and September,” Dr Bruce Willett, Queensland chair of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, said.

Dr Bruce Willett urged people to get ahead of the flu peak and vaccinate now. Picture: Tara Croser

The report card shows that only 11 per cent of Queenslanders have had their flu shot this year. In 2021, even in the middle of Covid restrictions, the number was 34 per cent

“This year it is more important than ever to get the flu shot as Queenslanders are at risk of flurona,” Dr Willett said.

Lancet research shows that a double whammy infection can place patients who are hospitalised with a higher risk of death and ventilation — and if hospitalised, the chances of death doubles.

“Parents need to understand that while Covid-19 did not hit young children hard, a very bad case of the flu for under-5s could be deadly. A flu jab is particularly essential for this age group,” Dr Willett said.

“Pregnant women are also at high risk from the flu and should get their jab.”

Medics fear that vaccine fatigue is the reason Queenslanders are falling behind with their influenza jabs.

“We have the flu vaccines available now. Some people might be waiting until their winter Covid jab is due so they can get them both at once. But we urge people to get ahead of the flu peak,” Dr Willett said.

Originally published as Doctor’s warning ahead of grim flu season