Low vaccine rates see flu cases rise, putting vulnerable people at risk
Figures from the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System show there have been more than 80,000 lab-confirmed influenza cases recorded across Australia in the year to May 19, representing about a 13 per cent increase over the same period last year.
At the same time, flu vaccination rates are alarmingly low. Despite being part of a high-risk group, only 11.7 per cent of children aged between six months and five years old have received a flu vaccine this year.
People aged 65 and over are another high-risk cohort at risk of serious complications from influenza. But data shows less than half (46.9 per cent) of this group are covered for the upcoming winter months.
Dr Ramya Raman, vice-president of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), said people may be reluctant to get the flu vaccine due to fatigue surrounding vaccines in recent years.
"There is a level of vaccine hesitancy that we are seeing, and it's primarily related to a sense of exhaustion," she said.
But Dr Raman said flu vaccination is still very important, not just for your own health, but the health of those around you.
"It's well proven in effectiveness," she said.
"It not only protects patients, it also protects their families, their communities. And it makes a huge difference from having good herd immunity."
The updated flu vaccine for the 2025 season is a quadrivalent vaccine, meaning it targets four separate strains.
The following groups can access flu vaccines for free through their pharmacist or GP:
If you are part of one of these high-risk groups, it's best to seek advice from your regular GP or medical practitioner before receiving a vaccine.
This year's flu season is shaping up to be one for the ages if current influenza case numbers are anything to go by - and low flu vaccination rates could be to blame.
Figures from the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System show there have been more than 80,000 lab-confirmed influenza cases recorded across Australia in the year to May 19, representing about a 13 per cent increase over the same period last year.
At the same time, flu vaccination rates are alarmingly low. Despite being part of a high-risk group, only 11.7 per cent of children aged between six months and five years old have received a flu vaccine this year.
People aged 65 and over are another high-risk cohort at risk of serious complications from influenza. But data shows less than half (46.9 per cent) of this group are covered for the upcoming winter months.
Dr Ramya Raman, vice-president of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), said people may be reluctant to get the flu vaccine due to fatigue surrounding vaccines in recent years.
"There is a level of vaccine hesitancy that we are seeing, and it's primarily related to a sense of exhaustion," she said.
But Dr Raman said flu vaccination is still very important, not just for your own health, but the health of those around you.
"It's well proven in effectiveness," she said.
"It not only protects patients, it also protects their families, their communities. And it makes a huge difference from having good herd immunity."
The updated flu vaccine for the 2025 season is a quadrivalent vaccine, meaning it targets four separate strains.
The following groups can access flu vaccines for free through their pharmacist or GP:
If you are part of one of these high-risk groups, it's best to seek advice from your regular GP or medical practitioner before receiving a vaccine.
This year's flu season is shaping up to be one for the ages if current influenza case numbers are anything to go by - and low flu vaccination rates could be to blame.
Figures from the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System show there have been more than 80,000 lab-confirmed influenza cases recorded across Australia in the year to May 19, representing about a 13 per cent increase over the same period last year.
At the same time, flu vaccination rates are alarmingly low. Despite being part of a high-risk group, only 11.7 per cent of children aged between six months and five years old have received a flu vaccine this year.
People aged 65 and over are another high-risk cohort at risk of serious complications from influenza. But data shows less than half (46.9 per cent) of this group are covered for the upcoming winter months.
Dr Ramya Raman, vice-president of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), said people may be reluctant to get the flu vaccine due to fatigue surrounding vaccines in recent years.
"There is a level of vaccine hesitancy that we are seeing, and it's primarily related to a sense of exhaustion," she said.
But Dr Raman said flu vaccination is still very important, not just for your own health, but the health of those around you.
"It's well proven in effectiveness," she said.
"It not only protects patients, it also protects their families, their communities. And it makes a huge difference from having good herd immunity."
The updated flu vaccine for the 2025 season is a quadrivalent vaccine, meaning it targets four separate strains.
The following groups can access flu vaccines for free through their pharmacist or GP:
If you are part of one of these high-risk groups, it's best to seek advice from your regular GP or medical practitioner before receiving a vaccine.
This year's flu season is shaping up to be one for the ages if current influenza case numbers are anything to go by - and low flu vaccination rates could be to blame.
Figures from the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System show there have been more than 80,000 lab-confirmed influenza cases recorded across Australia in the year to May 19, representing about a 13 per cent increase over the same period last year.
At the same time, flu vaccination rates are alarmingly low. Despite being part of a high-risk group, only 11.7 per cent of children aged between six months and five years old have received a flu vaccine this year.
People aged 65 and over are another high-risk cohort at risk of serious complications from influenza. But data shows less than half (46.9 per cent) of this group are covered for the upcoming winter months.
Dr Ramya Raman, vice-president of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), said people may be reluctant to get the flu vaccine due to fatigue surrounding vaccines in recent years.
"There is a level of vaccine hesitancy that we are seeing, and it's primarily related to a sense of exhaustion," she said.
But Dr Raman said flu vaccination is still very important, not just for your own health, but the health of those around you.
"It's well proven in effectiveness," she said.
"It not only protects patients, it also protects their families, their communities. And it makes a huge difference from having good herd immunity."
The updated flu vaccine for the 2025 season is a quadrivalent vaccine, meaning it targets four separate strains.
The following groups can access flu vaccines for free through their pharmacist or GP:
If you are part of one of these high-risk groups, it's best to seek advice from your regular GP or medical practitioner before receiving a vaccine.
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