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Will six million free doses of influenza vaccine be enough to control the thousands of deaths expected in 2019?
The federal government has announced a national free vaccination program of more than six million doses.
The 2017 influenza season in Australia was particularly severe and resulted in 1,555 deaths, the highest number ever recorded by the country.
But Professor Robert Booy, Chair of the Immunization Coalition, has a predictable thought about the impact of the disease on the entire country in 2019.
"This year, we predict that the flu will kill at least 4,000 people, the same number as the combined suicide deaths and road toll," he said.
The cases of influenza reported this year have already largely exceeded the rates recorded in the last five years, with just over 10,000 in March, already three times higher than the same period the previous year. This is accompanied by eight deaths from influenza, seven from care facilities for the elderly in New South Wales and one child in Victoria.
In response to the outbreak of influenza, the federal government announced that six million doses of influenza vaccine would be administered free of charge as part of the National Immunization Program (NIP).
"All Australians are encouraged to seize the opportunity to be vaccinated this year," said Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt.
"It's important to get the flu shot every year because the virus is changing year by year."
Influenza rates were much lower in 2018, which, according to Minister Hunt, was partly due to a high rate of vaccination against the disease.
However, Professor Booy thinks that this could also explain the lowering of immunity in the community.
"This means that many more people will be prone to the flu this year and will likely catch it," he said.
Booy also cited increasing travel rates abroad as a key factor in this year's high rate of summer flu.
"Many Australians went to the United States for a vacation earlier in the year and brought back the flu. In February, children return to school and children mingle and spread the flu, "said Professor Booy.
In 2019, seven out of eight reported cases of influenza deaths in Australia occurred in senior care facilities.
Health experts, including RACGP President Dr. Harry Nespolon, say mid-April is the best time to get a flu shot.
"In general, the influenza season affects Australia from June to September, with a peak in August," said Dr. Nespolon. newsGP earlier this year.
"Recent evidence suggests that protection after influenza vaccination may begin to disappear after three to four months. So it's crucial to vaccinate at the right time to make sure you're not unprotected at the end of the season. "
People eligible for a free flu shot through the PIN include children, teens, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, pregnant women, and people over 65 years of age.
Minister Hunt is satisfied with the current vaccination rates in Australia and hopes they will continue.
"Our immunization rate for five-year-old Australians is one of the highest in the world, currently at 94.67 percent of all five-year-olds. [vaccinated]close to the herd immunity rate of 95%, "he said.
"Last year, 11 million Australians, a record number, were vaccinated against the flu and I hope we will reach another record this year."
According to the Immunization Coalition, a total of 28,987 laboratory-confirmed influenza reports have been reported in Australia in 2019:
- Australian Capital Territory – 219
- New South Wales – 8552
- Northern Territory -326
- Queensland: – 8116
- South Australia – 5164
- Tasmania – 394
- Victoria – 4627
- Western Australia – 1589
vaccine against influenza
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