Low vaccine rates see flu cases rise, putting vulnerable people at risk
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.
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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Low vaccine rates see flu cases rise, putting vulnerable people at risk
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. 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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Up to 1000 GPs to be upskilled to treat ADHD in NSW in 'life-changing' move'
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here New changes to the treatment of ADHD in NSW hope to cut red tape by upskilling GPs and granting them extended powers. Most patients who are either diagnosed or seeking a diagnosis have to see a specialist, but wait times typically exceed months and years and can incur significant costs. Under reforms announced today, eligible GPs will be trained to diagnose, treat, prescribe and manage ADHD in children and adults. New changes to the treatment of ADHD in New South Wales hope to cut red tape by upskilling GPs and granting them extended powers. (Getty) "We know that people endure long wait times as well as significant expenses just to see a specialist to receive a diagnosis," Health Minister Ryan Park said. "We're not going to stand idly by while people struggle to access life-changing treatment." NSW Health will open up expressions of interest and select up to 1000 GPs, who will pick between two tiers of accreditation. Training will begin in the coming months before the reforms are rolled out in a staged approach, with an initial focus on prescriptions for children. GPs are expected to be able to provide ongoing prescriptions for children in early 2026. The changes are hoped to cut down the significant wait times and costs involved in seeing a specialist. "These reforms help tilt the scales in favour of fairness — reducing the cost of getting treatment by hundreds of dollars, removing red tape for thousands of families and young people, and giving people the support they need to live happier, healthier lives," Premier Chris Minns said. The reforms have been hailed as "life-changing" by doctors and pharmacists, who have seen patients struggling to access treatment across the state. "As I travel across New South Wales, I hear from my colleagues about families in rural areas who travel more than seven hours to see a paediatrician, and of families in Sydney spending more than $5000 on assessments and diagnosis for ADHD," Royal Australian College of General Practitioners' NSW Branch Chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman said. "Community pharmacies see ADHD patients every day who are struggling to access a psychiatrist. This means that many ADHD patients are going without important medication," Pharmacy Guild NSW President Mario Barone said. But psychologists want their assessment and treatment to also be made accessible in addition to these changes. "Psychologists and GPs are the ideal partners to work together with diagnostic and therapeutic supports for those investigating a diagnosis of ADHD," Australian Association of Psychologists Inc Chief Services Officer Amanda Curran said. New South Wales follows Queensland and Western Australia in implementing reforms to make it easier to access treatment for ADHD. health New South Wales national Australia doctors medical CONTACT US
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25-05-2025
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State-wide reform to ADHD treatment enabling faster, cheaper diagnoses
Treatment for people living with ADHD – one of the most prevalent mental disorders in Australia – will become cheaper and more accessible under major reforms made by the NSW Government. The Minns Government has announced reforms to the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) – a chronic condition including attention difficulty, hyperactivity and impulsiveness – which expands who is permitted to diagnose, manage and dispense ongoing prescriptions. Currently, people seeking treatment for ADHD must see a specialist, which can be expensive and involve long wait times of months or years. For many Australians, these barriers mean that treatment will not be accessed at all. The reforms announced on Monday will allow GPs to become accredited to diagnose and initiate medication, after completing additional training and education. There are two tiers of accredited training or registration, with each providing differing levels of capacity to diagnose, treat, prescribe or manage ADHD. Up to 1000 general practitioners will be supported to complete additional training to allow continuation prescriptions once a patient has been stabilised without the need of a formal arrangement. Currently, GPs can only get approval to prescribe stimulant medications under specific conditions. The additional training will be funded by NSW Health. With the number of Australians prescribed ADHD medication growing by almost 300 per cent in a decade, rising to 470,000 people in 2022-2023, the changes are expected to make a significant impact. These reforms will be rolled out in a staged approach, with an initial focus on prescriptions for children as delays in treatment for this cohort can be detrimental to academic progress, employment and mental health. Premier Chris Minns said he hopes that by removing 'red tape', these reforms will 'break the cycle' of delays plaguing ADHD treatment in the mental health system. 'By safely training more GPs to treat and diagnose ADHD, we are hoping to break the cycle of people having to wait years for, what can be, a life-altering diagnosis,' he said. 'Not getting diagnosed can have a particularly big impact on a child getting the most out of their life, whether that's academically or socially. 'These reforms help tilt the scales in favour of fairness – reducing the cost of getting treatment by hundreds of dollars, removing red tape for thousands of families and young people, and giving people the support they need to live happier, healthier lives.' RACGP Chairperson Dr Rebekah Hoffman said she has witnessed how challenging acquiring an ADHD diagnosis can be for individuals and families, and welcomes the changes. 'As I travel across New South Wales, I hear from my colleagues about families in rural areas who travel more than seven hours to see a pediatrician, and of families in Sydney spending more than $5,000 on assessments and diagnosis for ADHD,' she said. 'This announcement will have life-changing impacts when it comes to accessing timely and affordable ADHD care for families across the state. 'GPs in many parts of Australia, and around the world, are already diagnosing ADHD and prescribing medications. Our colleagues in Queensland, for example, have been safely prescribing ADHD medications since 2017 ' … In the years ahead, we look forward to working constructively with the Government to go even further and train up more GPs to diagnose and initiate medication so that all families can access the care and treatment they need.' The training will begin in the coming months and GPs are expected to be able to provide ongoing prescriptions to children by early 2026.
