Get ready for flu season

Cape York, Torres Strait, and Northern Peninsula Area are being urged to ensure their vaccinations are up to date for the influenza season as cases begin to rise across the region.

A total of 288 cases of influenza had been recorded across the Torres Strait, Cape York, and Northern Peninsula Area region so far this year, compared with 137 for the same year to date period last year.

Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service Public Health Medical Officer Dr Allison Hempenstall said, as well as rising cases, the health service also had now recorded two deaths from influenza on Cape York.

"This is a wake-up call for everyone" she said.
"It’s critical especially that pregnant women, children and the elderly are vaccinated, given they are more vulnerable to severe illness."

"This year, as last year, the seasonal flu vaccination is available free until 30 September to everyone aged six months and over.

"Taking 15 minutes out of your day to get vaccinated could prevent you or your child from spending days or weeks sick in bed, or even in a hospital bed – or worse.

"As well as being on the rise in our health service region, influenza cases also are surging right across Queensland and we are only just into the start of the flu season.

"As always, vaccination remains our best protection against some respiratory conditions, such as influenza, COVID-19, and pertussis (whooping cough) and helps reduce hospitalisations.

"The 2025 free seasonal influenza vaccine is now readily available and everyone should ensure they are vaccinated.

"Flu strains change annually, which is why a new vaccine comes out each year to cover the new strains.

"Each year’s seasonal flu vaccine is a safe vaccine for children and is offered annually to everyone older than six months of age.

"As well as their flu vaccination, I encourage all residents to ensure their COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, are up to date. These can be accessed through our primary health care centres.

"With pertussis, vaccination is recommended for pregnant women from 20 weeks gestation and has been shown to prevent whooping cough in infants during the first six months of life.

"Protection against pertussis also is included in the routine vaccinations given to children at two months, four months and six months of age and boosters given at 18 months and four years of age, as well as Year 7 at school.

"It is very important that all young children are up to date with their vaccinations.

"It is also important that people with coughing illnesses avoid contact with infants less than six months of age until a diagnosis is made and they are no longer infectious.

"A booster dose of pertussis vaccine also is recommended for any adult who wants to reduce the risk of infection and hasn't had a booster in the past 10 years."

Dr Hempenstall said good hygiene also was very important in preventing the spread of respiratory illnesses such as common colds, influenza, COVID-19, pertussis, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).

"Always wash your hands with sanitiser, cover your coughs, put tissues straight in the bin and stay away from other people if you or they are sick," she said.

"Practising social distancing by staying at least 1.5 metres away will mean coughs and sneezes don’t reach another person’s face.

"Wearing a mask also is highly recommended to avoid transmitting a respiratory condition to others, or to protect yourself from people around you who might have a respiratory condition.

"If you get the flu, you should stay home and rest and drink plenty of fluids until symptoms have resolved, which is usually 5-7 days.

"If you or your family member is getting sicker, they may have fast or difficult breathing, have chest pains, be sleepy or say they are getting worse.

"If this happens, they should go to their doctor or clinic, as you may be suitable to receive anti- viral treatment. But you should seek care early, especially if you have other chronic conditions, as antivirals are only effective if started early – within the first couple of days of symptoms.

Dr Hempenstall said 111 cases of COVID-19 had been reported so far this year, compared to 119 cases for the same period last year.

For whooping cough (pertussis), two cases have been recorded so far this year, compared to seven for the same period last year.

"We have also recorded 89 cases of RSV so far this year, compared to 102 cases for the same period last year," she said.

"In Queensland, free RSV vaccine is available for all pregnant women from 28 and 36 weeks gestation, as well as for eligible infants up to eight months old and eligible children from eight months to less than two years of age.

"A single RSV infection does not result in long-lasting protective immunity, and symptomatic illness tends to occur repetitively in children. Symptoms may include a runny nose, cough, fever, sore throat, and headache."