Australia reports its worst flu season in 7 years - here's what it means for us
The latest figures shared from 'down under' have revealed the worst outbreak of flu the country has seen in 7 years.
This is relevant for us in the UK as we usually see similarities in flu patterns with Australia, making it more important than ever that we get our flu vaccinations early to avoid pressure on our services and to minimise flu-related hospitalisations.
Flu rates are beginning to creep up earlier than expected this year. All ages are seeing an impact, but significantly in 5-14 and 15-24 year-olds. When we see increased rates of flu in these age groups, we unfortunately then see increased rates in adults two weeks later. So now really is the time to get vaccinated.
This year's flu vaccination is the best defence against the current strain (H3N2) that has been reported.
If you're eligible for an NHS flu vaccine, you can:
- contact your GP surgery to book an appointment
- book a free NHS flu vaccination appointment at a pharmacy online or in the NHS App (if you're aged 18 or over)
- find a pharmacy that offers free NHS flu vaccination where you can walk-in and get vaccinated without an appointment (if you're aged 18 or over)