<
https://www.afr.com/policy/health-and-education/flu-covid-19-jabs-encouraged-before-a-triple-pandemic-arrives-20230411-p5czmj>
"People at greatest risk of severe illness if they get influenza or COVID-19
are being urged to get vaccinated amid fears a range of flu-like viruses could
create a “perfect storm” this winter.
Bupa Health Insurance chief medical officer Tony MacDermott says modelling from
the Northern Hemisphere winter indicates the flu season will arrive earlier
than expected in Australia and be worse than last year, with more
hospitalisations likely.
Dr MacDermott is encouraging people to get vaccinated before the end of May to
ensure they are protected.
“We’re anticipating a perfect storm of flu, COVID-19 and other flu-like viruses
to come together this winter,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.
“The best protection will always be prevention, and our advice to people who
are due for their COVID booster is to get their flu shot together with their
COVID booster ahead of the winter season.”
Australian Medical Association vice president Danielle McMullen says those most
at risk from the flu are people under five and over 65, as well as those with
serious health conditions.
“Getting a flu vaccination will provide protection against the more serious
effects of influenza and help us protect loved ones,” she said.
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners president Nicole Higgins said
Australia had already recorded more than 21,000 cases of flu this year – far
higher than during the pandemic.
“People have been travelling more, and we’ve stopped measures like wearing
masks and washing our hands which allows flu to spread,” she said.
Dr MacDermott said flu trends in the US, where hospitalisation rates were
significantly higher than the year before, would likely be mirrored in
Australia."
Via Violet Blue’s
Pandemic Roundup: April 13, 2023
https://www.patreon.com/posts/pandemic-roundup-81447422
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
