Have you had your flu shot yet? Influenza cases soar

If you haven’t had your flu shot yet, it’s strongly encouraged that you do as there have been record numbers of flu cases since the beginning of the year.

Experts are warning that we could be in for one of the worst flu seasons on record due to a lack of vaccinations.

According to SMH, there have been 8914 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza nationwide between January and May this year, which is a staggering 43 per cent more than the same time last year.

“This year is tracking higher than any other year,” Ian Barr, acting director of the World Health Organisation’s influenza centre at the Doherty Institute, told Fairfax.

“The system only tracks the lab confirmed cases so it is like the tip of the iceberg,” he said. “Many people will go to GPs with influenza like illnesses but only some will be tested and only a very a small proportion of those will end up in the system”.

The Australian flu season is between May and October, and cases tend to peak at in July.

The increase in cases has been blamed on a delayed vaccine. The consequences could be dire for the most susceptible in society – the young and the old.

Dr Brian Morton, Chair of the AMA Council of General Practice, said “We’ll also see more flu right throughout winter because a lot of people don’t consider the vaccine necessary.

He think there’s a belief that it is too late to get vaccinated however stresses it is never too late.

So if you haven’t gone to your GP for the vaccine, go now and get it done!

Tell us, do you have the flu vaccine every year? Is it effective for you and your family?