NSW Health has issued another statement urging parents to get their children vaccinated against the flu as soon as possible, after the disease claimed 37 lives in New South Wales since January. 

The latest report shows the number of flu-related illnesses is increasing, with 1320 confirmed cases for the week ending 19 May, which is 341 more than the previous week.

NSW Health’s Director of Communicable Diseases Dr Vicky Sheppeard said the weekly increases in influenza cases confirm flu season has arrived.

“In line with last year’s reports, the latest analysis includes Births, Deaths and Marriages and flu notification data, which demonstrates that there were 37 deaths in people with confirmed flu this year, between January and 19 May, which reflects the early unseasonal flu numbers we have seen.” Dr Sheppeard said.

Meanwhile, ten people have died in aged-care centres, with most of the deaths being people aged over 60. 

Plenty of free flu vaccine is available to children aged from six months up to five years, said Dr Sheppeard. 

NSW Health is encouraging parents to organise their children’s flu shots by working with childcare centres, schools and local health networks. 

“It’s important to get your flu shots now as it takes about two weeks for the vaccine to provide full protection and children under nine years of age having the shot for the first time require two doses, one month apart,” Dr Sheppeard said.

“We urge parents of children under five years of age and others vulnerable to influenza to visit their GP as soon as possible,” she added. 

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

Flu symptoms include cough, fatigue, muscle aches and high fever.