The Public Health Physician with ACT Health has announced that almost 90,000 influenza vaccines have been distributed to immunisation providers in the ACT this flu season, a record number.
Dr Vanessa Johnston said it was 60 per cent higher than for the same time last year and meant that more people than ever have been vaccinated.
“This increase in the number of people immunised for the flu this year is a real positive,” Dr Johnston said.
“As we head into August and September, which is normally the peak of the flu season, our community is well prepared.”
She said a highlight of the immunisation program was the increase in vaccination rates for children aged 6 months to under 5 years.
“There has been a 35 per cent vaccination coverage rate for this cohort to date in 2018, compared to five per cent in 2017.”
“The latest stats on flu also show the number of laboratory confirmed influenza notifications remain at low levels in the ACT.”
Dr Johnston said that since the beginning of this year there had been 180 notifications of influenza reported to ACT Health compared to 316 for the same period in 2017.
“It’s not too late to get your flu shot,” she said.
“Flu vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older.”
Dr Johnston said that if someone had flu-like symptoms and needed medical care they could visit their local GP or one of the ACT’s free Walk-in Centres.
