There were more than 5400 confirmed influenza cases in the week ending May 21,according to NSW Health’s latest respiratory surveillance report.
The number of people admitted to hospital for “influenza-like illness” was 150,up from 134 the previous week.
That figure compares with 18 reported cases for the whole of May last year and 52 for May 2020. There were 2564 reported influenza cases in April this year.
The free shots were announced a week after theQueensland government declared it would make the flu shot free until June 30. At the time,senior health sources told theHeraldthat making flu vaccines free across NSW would cost the state $20-$25 million.
With the flu season starting earlier than average,slow uptake of the vaccine and reduced community immunity from lower infections while Australia’s international borders were shut has concerned health authorities. Only 16 per cent of people aged five to 64 had received a flu shot by May 22.
NSW Health will also allow pharmacies to administer flu vaccines to children aged five and older,so it’s easier for families to be vaccinated together. Previously,only those aged 10 and older were able to receive a flu vaccine from a pharmacist.
NSW branch president of the Pharmacy Guild David Heffernan had been championing for the change and said allowing pharmacists to give the flu jab to five to 10 year-olds would “help boost vaccinating capacity” and lift lagging vaccine uptake.