With flu season ramping up, Central Victorians are being encouraged to get jabbed and protect themselves this Winter.
GP clinics right across the region have stocked up on a new influenza vaccine to help combat the latest strains.
Those considered most at-risk of serious illness or death from the flu can take advantage of the federal government’s National Immunisation Program, including:
- children aged between six-months and five-years-old;
- pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy;
- adults aged 65 and over;
- people with underlying medical conditions such as cancer or immune deficiency, and;
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged six months and older.
Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters is among those recommending we get our flu shots.
“The flu is tricky – it’s a virus which mutates and changes each and every flu season, and sometimes it changes within the flu season,” Ms Chesters told Gold Central Victoria.
“So every year, we recommend that people get a booster, particularly if you’re in those professions where you are engaging with people like I am.
“I go out to aged-care facilities, I go out to early-childhood education centres [and] I’m engaging a lot with school kids, so I think it’s my duty to get vaccinated because I don’t want to inadvertently pass on the flu to somebody who could get really sick from it.”
(Photo supplied)
While Ms Chesters acknowledged there was some “vaccine fatigue” in the community following the Covid pandemic, she said the health advice was still the same.
“If you’re in an industry [where] you’re working with vulnerable cohorts, it’s either recommended, strongly encouraged or mandated that you get the flu vaccine,” she said.
That advice is echoed by local GP Dr Tariq Jan Bhat, who practises at Bendigo Doctors Medical Clinic – where Ms Chesters received her jab earlier this week.
“The flu is often underestimated, but it can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia and hospitalisation, particularly for young children, older adults, and those with chronic conditions,” Dr Bhat said.
“Vaccination is a safe and effective way to reduce the spread and severity of illness, helping keep our community healthy.”
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