The warning comes as the easing of Covid restrictions, will more than likely see both an increase in transmission of coronavirus and, for the first time since 2019, a resurgence in influenza.
Health authorities are particularly concerned about young children, as many have never been exposed to the flu virus or had a flu vaccine, and have not developed any immunity, increasing the risk of complications.
Experts recommend influenza vaccination for all people aged over 6-months and especially for those who are at higher risk of complications from the flu including:
- children aged 6 months to less than 5 years
- all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over
- people aged 6 months and over with certain medical conditions that increase their chance of severe influenza and its complications
- pregnant women (at any stage during pregnancy)
- people aged 65 years and over.
Meanwhile, Covid cases and hospitalisations across Australia and New Zealand look like this:
Western Australia
- New cases: 9,328
- Covid-related deaths: 0
- Hospital and ICU admissions: 282 / 9
Northern Territory
- New cases: 381
- Covid-related deaths: 1
- Hospital and ICU admissions: 46 / 0
Australian Capital Territory
- New cases: 1,053
- Covid-related deaths: 1
- Hospital and ICU admissions: 55 / 5
Queensland
- New cases: 7,040
- Covid-related deaths: 11
- Hospital and ICU admissions: 463 / 15
New South Wales
- New cases: 10,995
- Covid-related deaths: 7
- Hospital and ICU admissions: 1,499 / 54
Victoria
- New cases: 10,305
- Covid-related deaths: 10
- Hospital and ICU admissions: 502 / 31
South Australia
- New cases: 2,874
- Covid-related deaths: 1
- Hospital and ICU admissions: 221 / 10
Tasmania
- New cases: 1,107
- Covid-related deaths: 0
- Hospital and ICU admissions: 46 / 2
New Zealand
- New cases: 7347
- Covid-related deaths: 24
- Hospital and ICU admissions: 363 / 18
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