Last chance for Hunter to grab free flu jab

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Hunter residents are reminded, the NSW Government's free flu shot scheme will finish at the end of the month. 

Residents have until this Thursday 30th June to take advantage of the program. 

Free flu shots are available at GPs for anyone aged 6 months and over, as well as at pharmacies for everyone aged five years and over.

Many GP's and pharmacies in the region are still taking walk-in appointments and are encouraging locals to help stop the spread. 

Hunter New England Health public health physician, Dr David Durrheim, said it's not too late to protect yourself. 

"We've certainly seen an increase in the number of people who've been jabbed during June which is fantastic, but there's still opportunities for people to grab the vaccine in these last couple of days to get the whole family protected," Dr Durrheim said. 

He also reminded residents not to forget about COVID, with the rise in flu cases. 

"We've seen in the last three months, already over 6,200 Influenza A cases in the Hunter New England region, which is an enormous number. Two thirds of those cases have been in the last three weeks; there's plenty of flu about, you're going to encounter flu, so it's a really good idea to be protected as maximally as possible." 

"Anybody who hasn't had their flu jab should get their flu jab as soon as possible. Anybody who's due for either their third dose or their winter booster of the COVID jab, really don't delay any longer," he said.  

The flu vaccine will remain free for vulnerable individuals and high-risk groups, including children aged six months to under five years, Aboriginal people, pregnant women, people aged 65 years and over, and those with diabetes, serious heart, lung, kidney or liver disease, immunosuppression and obesity.

Hunter residents have until tomorrow to get their free flu shot. 

GPs Concerned Older Patients Have Not Received Best Vaccine in Leadup to Flu Season

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Hunter General Practitioners Association has expressed concern many elderly patients have not received the appropriate influenza vaccine leading up to this year's flu season.

Fluad Quad, a boosted vaccine designed with those aged 65 and older in mind, is accessible at most general practices - but has not been made available to pharmacies or other vaccination providers.

While the standard vaccine will still help them against influenza, Dr Lee Fong says it is essential older and more vulnerable members of the community are able to access the special vaccine.

"It's important that people who are over the age of 65 are aware that there is a specific vaccine that is intended for them, that gives them better protection, and that they should go to their general practice to get it."

Despite social distancing measures and the ongoing COVID-19 infection risk, Dr Fong says eligible patients should not be afraid to get in contact with their general practitioner to receive the vaccination.

"General practices are working very hard to keep people with respiratory illnesses out of the waiting room," said Dr Fong. "The general practice environment, I would suggest, is at least as safe as any other environment, including pharmacies."

But Dr Fong says there is no need for those finding it difficult to access the vaccination to be too concerned at the moment.

"At this point in time, influenza is not circulating in very high levels. We've got a bit of time up our sleeve - still get it done as soon as you can, but don't worry if you can't get it straight away."

Image credit: Hunter General Practitioners Association

Time To Vaccinate As Flu Season Approaches

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

As the flu season rolls in, Hunter residents are encouraged to protect themselves and their community by getting this year's flu vaccination.

A nightmare season in 2017 saw more than two hundred and fifty thousand Australians impacted by the virus and more than a thousand flu-related deaths.

Diabetes Australia and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners are emphasising the importance of immunisation for those most at risk, with diabetics and people over 65 years old facing an increased risk of severe infection or death.

Changes to the Government-funded immunisation program sees the addition of two enhanced vaccines for over-65s and the beginning of free flu shots for children aged between six months and five years old. The flu shot is also free for patients with diabetes.

Hunter Primary Care Clinical Director Dr Lee Fong says right now is the ideal time to see your GP to receive the jab as it works most effectively in the first three months following vaccination.

Dr Fong also wants residents to remember that getting vaccinated doesn't just benefit individuals, but helps to keep the entire community safer as well.

More information on eligibility for free flu shots can be found online here.

Image source: TripleM

Flu Tracking

BY: ALEXANDRIA MURRAY

Hunter New England health has started a Flu Tracking service to identify where highly contagious influenza activity is impacting the community.


With weekly data from FluTracking.net, researchers are being provided with a better understanding of the influenza vaccines and where areas of flu are breaking the worst.


Since the 400 participants in 2006, there has been tremendous growth to now more than 30,000 people
completing surveys for the Flu Tracking data by registering at flutracking.net.

Hunter spokesperson, Dr Craig Dalton says "the online surveys are an indicator of where flu is hitting the hardest."

"It only takes ten seconds for an individual to complete a survey, they then get a link to an activity map and it essentially helps us track the severity and timing of flu right around the country."

"It helps us to understand how severe the flu is and whether it's worse than last year."

"We're also getting more and more people telling us whether they have had a flu test or not and if that was positive -  the data will help determine whether the flu vaccine is working."

Image Credit: ABC Newcastle