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 notifications continuing to increase across all age groups. He said this is especially the case among young children aged three to four years.
“In recent weeks, we have seen influenza cases rising among young children and we want to remind parents the best thing they can do to keep their kids well this winter, and to reduce the risk of them being hospitalised due to influenza, is to ensure their children receive a flu vaccine,” Dr Britton said.
Government funded vaccines are also being offered to those aged over 65, children aged between six months and five years, along with Aboriginal Australians over 6.
High Risk Health Workers Have to Take the Flu Vaccine
Meanwhile, high risk staff in NSW Health are expected to take the influenza vaccine to be work compliant, according to a recent policy directive.This includes all new students and those working in emergency departments, oncology wards, staff assisting pregnant women, and children under two.
These high-risk staff also need to make sure they have vaccines for measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, chickenpox, diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough, a table in the policy directive shows.
However, category B staff who have no direct physical contact with patients or clients and don’t work in clinical areas are only recommended, not required, to get all these vaccines.
Meanwhile, it also comes as COVID-19 vaccine mandates get dropped for all health workers and students in the state.
“COVID-19 vaccination changed from required to strongly recommended for all NSW Health workers,” the directive states.
$630 Million For Vaccines in Federal Budget
On May 14, the federal government announced $631.1 million (US$419 million) over four years from 2024 to 2025 to support ongoing access to vaccines.
An extra $82.5 million will be provided from 2025 to 2026 to ensure ongoing joint responsibility with states and territories for vaccination programs.
The funding allocation includes $57.7 million over four years which will be allocated to broaden the eligibility of Shingrix for the prevention of shingles.
