Flu wave hits: Why Tasmanians need to get a free flu vaccination without delay

Tasmanian flu cases have jumped dramatically and a surprising aged group is most likely to catch it. See how to get a vaccine >>>

After a two-year absence, flu season is back with a vengeance and among the hardest hit are those aged under 19.

More than 210,000 Tasmanians have received influenza vaccines this year but, as the state pushes toward 450 influenza cases, health officials are urging more people roll up their sleeves for a jab.

Data from the Australian Influenza Surveillance Report shows 87,989 notifications to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System so far this year. More than half of these (47,860) were diagnosed in the fortnight to June 5, the report said.

“From mid-April 2022, the weekly number of notifications of laboratory-confirmed influenza reported in Australia has exceeded the five-year average,” the report states.

“In 2022 to date, people aged 5-19 years and children aged younger than five have the highest notification rates.”

Head of Department of Health Tasmania Kathrine Morgan-Wicks. Picture: Chris Kidd

In Tasmania, there have been 438 confirmed cases of influenza as at June 5 and State Health Commander Kathrine Morgan-Wicks warns the number of cases is climbing.

“As we communicated to the Tasmanian public ahead of winter to allow people time to prepare, influenza was expected to return after very few cases in the past two years. Each week we are experiencing more cases,” she said.

At the same stage in early June 2019 – prior to the Covid pandemic – Ms Morgan-Wicks said Tasmania recorded more than 950 confirmed cases of influenza, although she noted the flu season in that year started earlier.

NSW tops the list nationally with 42,283 influenza cases but it is the Northern Territory (2732 cases) which is ringing alarm bells with the highest infection rate, with 1109 people per 100,000 population getting the ‘flu.

Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Sonya Bennett in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

Vaccination is the strongest protection against serious flu illness, Australia’s acting chief medical officer, Sonya Bennett, said.

“Over the past two years ­influenza cases were very low in Australia because of limitations on international travel and a range of other measures such as social distancing and mask wearing but, with restrictions now eased, influenza cases are rising,” Dr Bennett said.

Ms Morgan-Wicks reinforced the need for vaccinations.

“The increasing number of cases highlights the importance of people getting vaccinated to offer them the best protection against complications of influenza. Tasmanians aged 65 years and older, those aged 6 months and older with conditions that make them vulnerable to influenza, Aboriginal Tasmanians aged 6 months and older, and all children aged 6 months to 5 years, are all eligible for free National Immunisation Program (NIP) influenza vaccine.

“Although more than 210,000 Tasmanians have received influenza vaccines so far this year, we want to ensure that every Tasmanian aged older than 6 months - including those not eligible for NIP vaccine - has access to the vaccine. If you have not yet had your annual dose, you can receive it for free at one of our many state-run clinics. Flu vaccinations are also currently free from GP clinics and pharmacies until 6 July.

“The best thing Tasmanians can do to protect themselves from the severe effects of influenza is to get vaccinated. People may consider wearing a mask to offer them further protection when they are in more crowded places and cannot maintain physical distance. Everyone with respiratory symptoms is reminded how important it is to stay at home until their symptoms clear.”

Meanwhile, health officials are encouraging Tasmanians to continue to practise the prevention measures which were common during the pandemic, including covering coughs and sneezes, regular hand washing, wearing a face mask when physical distancing is not possible, and staying home when unwell.

How to get a free flu jab, as cases double

Flu jabs will be made free across GP clinics and pharmacies as the state attempts to combat case numbers higher than this time in 2019.

For a four-week period from June 6 to July 6 the flu vaccine will be free, with the program running in addition to the free weekend shots at the state-run vaccination clinics.

The Department of Health reported 134 influenza cases last week, an increase on the same period in 2019.

Already this year nearly 11,000 influenza cases have been reported nationally and in Queensland, NSW and Victoria rates are doubling and even tripling every week.

Premier and Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff said Tasmania was the most vaccinated state by population percentage but needed to continue to address flu rates, which have “more than doubled”.

“That’s why it’s important that we continue to increase these rates – particularly for Tasmanians aged over 65 where there is still 30 per cent yet to receive a vaccine, as well as the 83 per cent of children under five years who have not yet received a flu shot,” he said.

Free flu vaccines will be available for those over 10 years old at participating pharmacies and everyone aged six months plus at GPs and state community clinics.

The Department of Health reminded people they can receive their flu vaccination on the same day as their Covid booster shot.

Bookings are preferred at most state-run flu and Covid vaccination centres, and walk-ins are also welcome. For clinic details and to book go to: www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/vaccine or call the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.