A ‘triple menace’ of surging flu, Covid and respiratory syncytial virus detections throughout NSW has prompted well being authorities to name on individuals over the age of 65 to get their free influenza vaccine.
The NSW Well being Respiratory Surveillance Report, launched on Thursday, revealed a 27 per cent improve in influenza notifications and a 23 per cent improve in COVID-19 notifications week-on-week.
Nonetheless, NSW chief well being officer Kerry Chant stated regardless of the quickly growing flu transmissions, with instances anticipated to ‘rapidly improve’ within the subsequent few weeks, vaccine charges weren’t the place they wanted to be.
‘Lower than half of individuals aged 65 and over in NSW have acquired their influenza vaccine this yr, and we actually have to see that quantity go up, particularly as individuals on this age group are amongst these most prone to extreme sickness,’ Dr Chant stated.
‘We count on the variety of influenza instances to rapidly improve within the weeks forward so now’s the time to get vaccinated if you have not already completed so.’
NSW chief well being officer Kerry Chant stated individuals over the age of 65 ought to get their flu vaccine, with ‘lower than half’ of that age group presently jabbed. Image NCA NewsWire/ Gaye GerardÂ
NSW Well being Minister Ryan Park repeated requires susceptible Aussies to get vaccinated.
‘What we’re seeing is a triple menace of flu, Covid and RSV instances circulating at excessive charges among the many group,’ he stated.
‘I wish to reiterate to the group to remain updated together with your vaccinations, particularly the over 65s – it truly is the best and but only method to defend yourselves and the group.’
So as to scale back stress on hospital emergency rooms, Mr Park urged individuals with non-life threatening circumstances to contact NSW HealthDirect on 1800 022 222 to talk to a registered nurse.
Mr Park additionally referred to as on individuals to remain at dwelling if unwell, or ‘masks up’ if they should exit.
Kids aged between six months to 5 years, pregnant girls, Aboriginal individuals from six months of age, and other people with continual well being circumstances are additionally suggested to take the free shot.
Weak individuals together with older Australians and younger youngsters had been urged to get the flu shot. Image: NCA NewsWire/ David CroslingÂ
The report additionally discovered charges of Covid-19 notifications had been growing throughout all ages and most Native Well being Districts.
‘Within the final week, there continued to be excessive COVID-19 notification charges in these aged 90 and over,’ it stated.
‘LHDs with smaller populations, akin to Far West LHD, expertise higher variability in notification charges.’
Incidents of RSV had been additionally excessive in youngsters between two and 4. Nonetheless, experiences of optimistic instances had been stabilising in youngsters underneath two years of age.
Charges of notifications elevated by 4 per cent week-on-week.
A separate highlight was additionally positioned on pertussis (whooping cough) and pneumonia.
The very best charges of whooping cough had been recognized in youngsters aged 5 to 14 years of age, with instances showing to extend.
Notification charges between 2022 to 2024 confirmed a fast improve, with one per 100,000 individuals recording the virus in 2022, and 10.8 instances per 100,000 individuals in 2023.
Yr up to now in 2024, that determine has already shot to 85.4 notifications per 100,000 individuals.
Pneumonia, a probably lethal an infection of the lungs, can be of concern to well being authorities, resulting in ‘unseasonably excessive’ emergency room displays in youngsters and younger adults, notably individuals aged 5 to 16.
