A public health adviser says the winter flu season appears to be kicking off early, as cases spike across the Tasman.
A record number of influenza cases for January to March has been seen in Australia, with infections rising more than 50% higher than the same period last year.
The ABC reports that period of flu cases during January – March 2024 was previously a record.
The Immunisation Advisory Centre’s professor Peter McIntyre said it looked like something similar is happening here, with an early uptick in hospitalisations due to flu recorded already.
Health data centre ESR’s weekly hospitalisation rates for Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) show they spiked last month and are back on the rise this month.
McIntyre, a Professor at University of Otago, said that correlated with a rise in influenza cases seen at the university’s Student Health Centre.
“Students were turning up with flu even weeks ago. The message for everyone is, it looks like the flu season is going to be early and don’t delay. The flu vaccine has been available since 1st of April.”
McIntyre said student cases were often an early warning sign.
“During the last big surge of influenza in 2022 the earliest cases were at Otago University,” he said.
“It was important for young people to get the flu vaccine. Influenza is substantially more likely than Covid-19 to make them sick.”
But he said it was particularly crucial for over 65s, especially people with additional health conditions, to get the vaccine, too.
“It’s really important for you to get that flu jab right now, because that’s where we’re going to see severe hospitalisations and potentially death.”
It was a good idea to get the Covid booster at the same time, he added.
“Covid may not be here right now but it will be round the corner and it makes sense to do them both at the same time. There’s no downsides, there’s no problem with increased side effects but lots of benefits. You know you’ve got them both done and you’re sorted, hopefully, for the rest of the season.”
Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora said it encouraged people to get their flu and Covid-19 vaccines to help protect themselves and their whānau.
A spokesperson said: “We have planned for winter, and we are expecting respiratory illness to increase. While most cold and flu symptoms can be managed at home, we are asking people to be prepared. Please check your prescriptions and health plans.
“Act early if you or someone in your whānau get sick. Hospitals are very busy over winter so unless you are very unwell, please use other services such as your local GP or community pharmacist.”
You can also call Healthline (0800 611 116) or PlunketLine (0800 933 922) for free, expert health advice from registered nurses and other clinicians. If you or a loved one do become severely unwell, go to your nearest hospital ED or emergency clinic, or call 111 for an ambulance.
rnz.co.nz
