Doctors warn against jab delay as flu cases surge

Flu cases are climbing in Geelong, with doctors urging locals to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Flu cases are climbing in Geelong, with doctors urging locals to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Greater Geelong has recorded 23 cases of influenza so far this year, according to health department data.

Across 2021 Greater Geelong recorded just five cases, following 152 cases in 2020, the data showed.

Barwon South West public health unit director Eugene Athan said as the colder months approached, public health clinicians had already started to see some flu cases in the region, including a small number of hospital admissions.

“We can expect an increase of flu cases this year with more movement and travel,” Professor Athan said.

“We urge anyone in the community who is able to receive the flu vaccine to get vaccinated as soon as possible, especially the elderly or immunocompromised.”

Prof Athan said flu vaccinations could be administered at the same time as Covid-19 vaccinations making April a good time to receive your booster and flu vaccination.

“We have seen some instances of people delaying their flu vaccination to closer to winter,” he said.

“I strongly discourage this and urge the community to get their flu vaccination as soon as possible to avoid severe illness.

“We also want to encourage anyone that suspects they have the flu to isolate from others,

especially vulnerable people, to minimise the spread.”

Prof Athan said flu vaccinations were available at local GPs and pharmacies or via Barwon Health’s Immunisation Service at sites at Corio, Belmont and Ocean Grove.

Meanwhile, as of Thursday there were 26 Covid patients in Geelong hospital, with one in ICU.

On Thursday, 446 new Covid cases were reported for Greater Geelong.

The Surf Coast recorded 73 new cases, the Borough of Queenscliffe eight, Golden Plains 45 and Colac-Otway 35.

Victoria recorded 10,674 new cases and 11 deaths.

What you need to know about the fourth Covid booster

Barwon Health does not expect eligibility for a fourth dose of Covid vaccine will be expanded at this stage.

However, data was being watched closely and recommendations may change is light of new strains detected, Barwon South West public health unit director Eugene Athan said.

Prof Athan said as of Friday, 2535 people had received a fourth Covid vaccination dose across the Barwon South West and Golden Plains region, while more than 75 per cent of eligible people had their third dose.

“An increase in cases is expected in coming weeks as the weather cools down and this should encourage eligible people to get their third or fourth dose, if they’re yet to do so,” Prof Athan said.

Close up doctor or nurse giving vaccine to patient using the syringe injected in hospital

In late March the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommended an additional booster dose of Covid vaccine to increase protection before winter for selected population groups at greatest risk of severe illness, including people aged 65 and over.

The fourth dose can be given from four months or longer after the person has received their first booster dose, or from four months after a confirmed Covid infection if infection occurred since the person’s first booster.

“To help protect our most vulnerable members of the community, Barwon Health has worked closely with the aged care sector to ensure they receive their winter dose as soon as they are eligible,” Prof Athan said.

It’s understood ATAGI continuously monitors and reviews all emerging evidence on the use of Covid-19 vaccinations and will concurrently monitor the epidemiology in Australia during autumn and winter.

Mapped: Covid cases in your postcode

Twenty-six patients were receiving care for Covid at Geelong hospital, including one in ICU, on Tuesday.

Greater Geelong recorded 378 new Covid cases on Tuesday, with 34 reported for the Surf Coast, seven for the Borough of Queenscliffe,25 for Golden Plains and 15 for Colac Otway.

Health department data revealed postcodes with the highest number of active cases locally included 3216, covering Belmont, Grovedale, Highton, Marshall, Wandana Heights and Waurn Ponds, with 509 and 3228, encompassing Bellbrae, Bells Beach, Jan Juc and Torquay, with 210.

Victoria recorded 8976 new Covid cases and seven deaths on the same day.

The health department said 67.1 per cent of Victorian adults had three doses of a Covid-19 vaccine while 94.5 per cent of Victorians aged 12 and over had two doses.

Covid toll on Geelong students revealed

School refusal across the Geelong region has “gotten worse” following the Covid pandemic, as students regress in social skills amid a transition back to in-person learning.

Drummond Street Services Geelong is hoping to help, with a panel discussion organised for this month, aimed at equipping parents with tools to assist their children.

Clinical family therapist Julie Yeo said when tackling school refusal – difficulty attending school as a result of emotional distress – “you can’t work in isolation”.

She said the organisations works with whole families to establish drivers contributing to the refusal behaviour that has risen post-Covid.

“What we’re hearing from schools is that it’s gotten worse,” Ms Yeo said.

“The stress of being told to stay home for two years … and to now where we’re being told it’s fine and to go back out … we’re still adapting.

“It’s complex, children can’t do this by themselves.”

Tired Boy Studying In Bedroom

Ms Yeo said Drummond Street wants to help parents “put tools in their toolbox” and empower them to be a part of the solution.

The organisation is hosting a free panel event on April 27, with presenters including Ms Yeo, Navigator Program’s Kate Daley, Headspace’s Amelia Shanahan, St Josephs Flexible Learning’s Chris Lougheed, and a parent with lived experience.

Ms Yeo said the panel, along with Drummond Street’s entire catalogue of services, aims to “open up lines of communication”.

“It’s about encouraging parents to listen to their young people,” she said.

“It’s important to not dismiss when they come home and talk about their worries. We know a child won’t reach out to a parent if they feel dismissed.”

Drummond Street place based manager Frances McAloon said two years of interrupted and online schooling has increased anxiety in the community, including in the school system.

She said it was important to recognise this anxiety to come up with tools to handle it.

“We’ve all been anxious about what (post-Covid) means,” Ms McAloon said.

“There’s not just one answer to this problem.

“Families need to find a way to support children to feel safe again.

“There is resilience that we can get through. Kids are going to learn that we can get through it again.”

Ms McAloon said there are many ways to help Geelong’s youth, including recreational activities, and socialisation.

“It all comes back to relationships,” she said.

“Being able to connect back up and feel safe at school is so important.”

Drummond Street’s panel will be held at Belmont High School.

To book, visit https://bit.ly/37qPn61

Which big Geelong employers lost staff over Covid jab

Major Geelong employers have confirmed they have lost staff who refused to be jabbed against Covid.

Barwon Health head of people and culture Lee Jeffery said four employees out of nearly 9000 elected not to receive their third dose, and as a consequence they were no longer able to work at the health service.

Healthcare workers must have already received three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, or have an exemption, to be able to work in a healthcare setting in Victoria.

The three dose deadline was last month.

“Barwon Health employees have once again shown enormous support for the mandatory third dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, and all active staff are fully vaccinated,” Ms Jeffery said.

In December, the month the double dose deadline occurred, Ms Jeffery revealed about 60 Barwon Health staff chose not to receive a Covid vaccination.

Civid Testing sites at Norlane

Current Victorian health orders mean unvaccinated general workers, which includes office workers, who can work from home are required to.

City of Greater Geelong chief executive Martin Cutter said council had seen some employees, who had not met the government’s vaccination requirements and were unable to fulfil their role from home, leave the organisation.

“Under the Victorian Government directions, all City employees are required to be

vaccinated, or have a medical exemption, to work outside the home,” Mr Cutter said.

“In line with this requirement, the City has a small number of employees who are working from home.

“The health and safety of our employees, and the wider community, is our top priority.

“Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, our health and safety measures have been guided by federal and state authorities.”

Barwon Water Group implemented a Covid-19 mandatory vaccination policy in November.

A total of 0.6 per cent of its workforce chose not to comply with the policy and as a result their employment was terminated.

There are 440 employees in the Barwon Water Group, comprised of Barwon Water and Barwon Asset Solutions, a maintenance services company owned by Barwon Water.

“We place a high priority on providing a safe environment for the health and wellbeing of all our employees, contractors and customers,” Barwon Water acting general manager, organisational performance, Adam Cunningham said.

“We’ve been actively working with our employees since implementing polices that require all employees to be vaccinated, unless they have a valid medical exemption.

“As Barwon Water provides essential services, the policy supports our employees to safely undertake field and office based work and activities that cannot be undertaken as effectively from home including team planning days, training and all staff events.”

The Transport Accident Commission and WorkSafe did not specify if any or how many staff had refused to be vaccinated, citing privacy concerns.

A WorkSafe spokesman said the agency was operating in line with all current government directions and had implemented a Covid-19 vaccination policy following employee consultation.

Non-compliance with WorkSafe’s COVID-19 vaccination policy may result in disciplinary action, including possible termination of employment.

A National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) spokeswoman said the NDIA had not stood down any staff members for refusing to be vaccinated.

In Victoria, Commonwealth employees have been exempted from the requirement to be vaccinated.

The NDIA has not mandated vaccination for workers, but strongly encouraged all workers to get vaccinated.

Originally published as Doctors warn against jab delay as flu cases surge