A “triple threat” of surging flu, Covid and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) detections across NSW has prompted health authorities to call on people over the age 65 to get their free influenza vaccine. The NSW Health Respiratory Surveillance Report released on Thursday revealed a 27 per cent increase in influenza notifications, and a 23 per cent in Covid-19 notifications week-on-week. However, NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant said despite the rapidly increasing flu transmissions, with cases expected to “quickly increase” in the next few weeks, vaccine rates were not where they needed 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. Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion. “We expect the number of influenza cases to quickly increase in the weeks ahead so now is the time to get vaccinated if you haven’t already done so.
” NSW Health Minister Ryan Park repeated calls for vulnerable Aussies to get vaccinated. “What we are seeing is a triple threat of flu, Covid and RSV cases circulating at high rates among the community,” he said. “I want to reiterate to the community to stay up to date with your vaccinations, in particular the over 65s – it really is the simplest and yet most effective way to protect your.