Protect yourself this flu season
The Prince Charles Hospital Infection Management Clinical Nurse Sally Smith wants everyone to be protected this flu season.
The Prince Charles Hospital Infection Management Clinical Nurse Sally Smith wants everyone to be protected this flu season.
Sally has spent the past few weeks travelling the length and breadth of TPCH, ensuring easy access for staff to receive their annual flu vaccination.
She’s helped to vaccinate almost 2300 staff, students and volunteers at TPCH and more than 11,000 staff across Metro North Health, since the internal campaign started in early April.
Now, it’s your turn. The annual flu season will soon be its peak during the cooler winter months from June to August.
About 21 per cent of Queenslanders have had a flu vaccination this year, lower than previous years.
However, the number of flu cases is 36 per cent higher this year, compared to the same time last year.
Most flu cases reported across Queensland this year (84 per cent) have been Type A.
The flu is a highly contagious viral infection that infects your upper airways and lungs. You can get it any time but it’s more likely in winter.
Vaccination has long been a safe and effective way to help prevent the spread of flu and reduce the risk of severe illness. You need a vaccine every year because the strains can change each year.
“We have already started to see an increase in flu numbers within the community and our inpatients in the last few weeks,” Sally said.
“Like last year, the Queensland Government has made the flu vaccinations free for all Queenslanders six months of age and older until 30 September.
“If you haven’t had an influenza vaccination yet, please visit your GP or pharmacy for your free flu vaccination.
“The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from the flu is to get vaccinated.
“This makes it less likely you’ll suffer serious illness and potentially need to be hospitalised.
“People most at risk of hospitalisation are young children, older people, pregnant people and people with health conditions like diabetes, lung or heart problems.
“Good hygiene habits are also an important part of reducing the spread of flu – wash your hands, stay at home if you’re sick and cover coughs and sneezes.”
If you have questions about the flu and flu vaccinations, call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) or visit www.vaccinate.initiatives.qld.gov.au.