NSW has entered the flu season early, following weeks of “abnormally high” numbers of people catching the infection over the warmer months. 

NSW Health is advising Australians to get their influenza shot, after a drastic increase in flu cases from the end of April up to May 12 as well as a rise in people seen at emergency departments with flu-like symptoms. 

There were 856 confirmed flu cases in the week ending May 12, a leap from 44 cases the previous week, according to the latest NSW Influenza Surveillance Report. 

The report indicates the number of patients with influenza has risen to 10.8 per cent, more than double the 5 per cent threshold that typically marks the beginning of the official flu season. 

“We’ve seen abnormally high numbers of reported flu cases across Australia over the warmer months leading into winter, so we are urging people to act now and get vaccinated,” NSW Health’s Director of Communicable Diseases Dr Vicky Sheppeard said.  

“It’s important to act now because it takes about two weeks for the vaccine to become fully effective, and children under nine years of age having the shot for the first time require two doses, one month apart,” she added. 

Flu vaccines are available at GPs, Aboriginal Medical Services, and for children, at most council and community health services that routinely offer childhood vaccine services. 

The NSW government is providing free flu shots for children up to five years old, as part of its $22.75 million investment into state-wide immunisation programs for flu prevention this season. 

Flu shots are also available at no cost to pregnant women, people over 65 years of age, Indigenous Australians, and those with medical conditions including asthma, diabetes and heart problems.

“Vaccination is your best protection against the flu,” Dr Sheppeard said.

“We urge everyone to get the flu jab to build immunity in the community and beat the flu bug this winter – it could save your life,” she added.

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