‘It’s not too late’: Flu cases explode, Qlders urged to get jab

Influenza cases are on the rise, as the state records a five-year high, with authorities urging Queenslanders to protect themselves and their families by getting vaccinated.

Influenza cases have hit a five year high, as Queensland Health warns the peak is not expected till end of August.

With more patients in Queensland hospitals with influenza than Covid for the first time this year.

This comes as the Courier Mail revealed that 257 people were hospitalised for influenza as of last Sunday, five more than those with Covid-19.

More than 80 per cent of hospital admissions for flu across all age groups are patients who have not been vaccinated.

Acting chief health officer Assoc Prof Catherine McDougall said the state had not had an explosion of cases like this since 2019.

Catherine McDougall Acting Chief Medical Officer, says its not too late to get vaccinated. Photo: Steve Pohlner

“One in four people who are testing for flu are positive. This is a sign that there is a lot of virus in the community,” she said.

“Last week, there are almost as many under fives diagnosed with the flu as there were over 60.”

The vaccination rate for flu in Queensland this year across all age groups is 27.6 per cent, which is lower than last year 29.2 per cent and lower than the Australian average 29 per cent.

“Only 20 per cent of our under fives are currently vaccinated and only 13 per cent of our school aged children are vaccinated,” Ms McDougall said.

“Our overall vaccination rates this year are less than last year.”

Queensland has recorded 41,201 Flu cases and Queensland Health expect this number to rise with the peak of mid-August – including the Ekka – still two weeks away.

Worringly, over this flu season Queensland Health has recorded 59 deaths due to influenza, 49 of which were people aged over 65.

With 5674 people diagnosed with influenza cases, which has surpassed the number of Covid cases of 1603.

There were 1521 confirmed new cases last week of flu in school aged children, 630 cases in preschool and 644 cases for those aged over 65 across the state.

“It looks like the peak will be towards the end of August, but we just have to monitor that day by day. Certainly what we have seen is that 14 per cent of all cases that we’ve had so far this year, happened last week,” Ms McDougall said.

Micrograph of influenza A. Picture: CDC and NIAID/ AFP

“At the moment we are in a rise and it’s very important time for people to be aware of the amount of flu that’s out in the community and to protect themselves and their families.

“Queensland Health will be writing to all schools over the next coming days to advise people that its not too late to get vaccinated.

“I’m really encouraging mums and dads to take their families and get vaccinated over the next few days. Its not too late.”

Originally published as ‘It’s not too late’: Flu cases explode, Qlders urged to get jab