ACT Health is urging Canberrans to become vaccinated against influenza ahead of the flu season this winter.
Joy Burch MLA, representing the Minister for Health and Wellbeing, received a vaccination at the Conder Medical and Dental Centre.
“Flu can have a devastating impact on the most vulnerable people in our community and it can lead to serious complications and even death,” Ms Burch said.
“Young children, the elderly, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people with certain chronic medical conditions are eligible for a free Government-funded vaccine.”
She said people leading busy lives often found it challenging to book an appointment.
“Think about the time out and the interruption to your everyday life if you do get the flu when you’re not vaccinated,” Ms Burch said.
Public Health Specialist at the Health Directorate, Vanessa Johnston said that now was the best time to get the flu vaccination.
“So far this year, there have been 237 cases of influenza notified in the ACT,” Dr Johnston said.
“For the same period last year between January and April, the ACT only had 118,” she said.
“Although there has been an increase in influenza over the summer of 2019 compared to last year, current influenza activity in the ACT remains low and stable.”
She said that each year the flu season varied in severity and in the circulating strains, so the best way to keep those numbers down was by getting this year’s flu vaccine now.
