MURRAY Primary Health Network (PHN) is urging people to roll up their sleeves again to get vaccinated against the flu and COVID-19 during winter.
Cases of flu in Victoria have increased by more than 30 per cent in the past week from 10,000 to 15,000, after two years of isolating and reduced travel during the pandemic led to limited immunity to the virus.
Everyone aged six months and older is recommended to get a flu vaccine each year, with all Victorians now eligible to receive the flu jab free throughout June.
COVID booster eligibility has also changed, with more people able to receive a fourth COVID vaccine, including people aged 65 and older, people living in aged care or disability facilities, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and older. Everyone else is encouraged to get their third COVID vaccine if they haven’t already.
While the Murray PHN region has seen an increased uptake in COVID boosters recently, Murray PHN chief executive Matt Jones has urged community members not to become complacent.
“This year we are already seeing higher numbers of the flu now that we are out and about, back in the office and travelling more broadly,” he said.
“Booking in for a flu vaccination and your COVID booster goes hand-in-hand with maintaining those important measures that became second nature during the pandemic, such as handwashing with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds, sneezing into your elbow and using hand sanitiser when away from home.”
Murray PHN has developed a free campaign to encourage people to get vaccinated against the flu and COVID-19.
For a list of local vaccinating clinics, visit murrayphn.org.au/vaccination.
