New South Wales (NSW) Health is urging residents to take the flu vaccine amid concerns not enough people are taking the jab. Chief Health Officer Dr. Kerry Chant advised that influenza levels were “rapidly increasing,” recommending those over 65 to book now for a free vaccine.
Dr. Chant said she expects influenza cases to quickly increase in the weeks ahead, adding that “now is the time to get vaccinated if you haven’t already done so.” “Influenza immunisation rates aren’t where they need to be.
Less than half of people aged 65 and over in NSW have received their influenza vaccine this year and we really need to see that number go up, especially as people in this age group are among those most at risk of severe illness,” Dr. Chant said. The latest NSW Health Respiratory Surveillance Report released on May 30 showed influenza activity “rapidly increasing” in NSW, along with COVID-19 transmission.
“The highest rates of notification for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and influenza are in younger age groups, while those 65 and older have the highest rates of COVID notifications. Pertussis and pneumonia are unseasonably high in school aged children,” the report states. NSW residents have been advised to “wear a mask if you need to go out” and stay up to date with “recommended vaccinations” if they feel unwell.
Meanwhile, Dr. Phil Britton, an infectious diseases pediatrician at Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, also observed influenza notific.