South Australians are being reminded they have until Thursday to roll up their sleeves and receive a free flu shot at GPs and pharmacies across the state.
The free flu vaccination program finishes on 30 June, a month after it was launched to get more people protected against influenza this winter.
Around 200,000 South Australians have already taken advantage of the free shot, with a big boost in the number of people aged 65 years and older now protected – more than 37,000 doses have been recorded since the campaign was launched, with a total of 79% in this age group vaccinated.
The Government’s free program – rolled out for the first time ever – has formed a key part of this year’s vaccination figures. Between 1 March and 24 June, approximately 774,382 South Australians had received their flu vaccination.
The push to boost rates coincides with the resumption of international travel and lifting of COVID-19 public health measures, which has seen a significant spike in flu numbers this year compared to the previous two years.
Latest figures show there have been 6,242 cases of influenza notified year to date, compared to 16 cases at the same time in 2021.
There has been an increase of 1,359 cases of influenza notified to SA Health’s Communicable Disease Control Branch in the past week, with 605 people with flu reported to have required hospital admission already this year.
The number of co-infections is also being monitored; as of 25 June 2022, 101 people have had co-infections of influenza and COVID within a seven-day period.
Other strategies to help deal with increasing demand include opening 80 more hospital beds for flu patients as well as 28 extra private beds coming online this week to provide more capacity for public hospitals. That’s in addition to 180 more beds that have already been opened for COVID patients, and a new Acute Assessment Centre opening at the RAH last week to divert non-urgent patients away from busy EDs.
Quotes
Attributable to Peter Malinauskas
The most important thing people can do to protect themselves against the flu this year is to take up our offer and get their free flu vaccination.
This is the first time the State Government has ever provided the flu jab for free to all South Australians.
We want to do everything we can to tackle the challenge of wider community spread of COVID-19 and influenza during the colder months, which threatens to put further pressure on a hospital system already facing increasing demand.
Attributable to Chris Picton
We strongly encourage anyone who hasn’t received their annual flu shot yet to do so, especially with a rising number of cases in the community.
Not only does vaccination reduce the likelihood of catching influenza but it also lessens the risk of serious illness.
And don’t forget to keep up the good hand hygiene practices we’ve been used to throughout the pandemic – wipe down surfaces, cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your arm, and please stay at home if you’re sick.
As of 27 May 2022, the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) shows the following data for SA:
| Age groups (private and government funded) | Total doses recorded | % of eligible population |
|---|---|---|
6 months to less than 5 years | 12,575 | 13% |
5 years to less than 65 years | 321,033 | 24% |
65 years and older | 241,921 | 69% |
TOTAL | 575,529 | 32% |
As of 24 Jun 2022, the AIR shows the following data for SA:
| Age groups (private and government funded) | Total doses recorded | % of eligible population |
|---|---|---|
6 months to less than 5 years | 23,271 | 25% |
5 years to less than 65 years | 472,051 | 35% |
65 years and older | 279,060 | 79% |
TOTAL | 774,382 | 44% |
