Victoria is experiencing a late season surge in respiratory illnesses, including influenza (flu) and COVID-19.
Respiratory illnesses can affect Victorians of all age groups and vaccines are available to protect against common illnesses.
“If you haven’t had this year’s flu vaccination it’s not too late to get one,” said the Director of the South East Public Health Unit, Professor Rhonda Stuart.
Young children, pregnant women, older adults and people with certain underlying medical conditions or a weakened immune system are more at risk of severe illness and hospital admission from respiratory infections.
The flu vaccine is free for children aged 6 months to 5 years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over, pregnant women, anyone aged 65 years or over and anyone aged 6 months or over with a serious medical condition that puts them at higher risk.
You can get a flu vaccine from your GP, local council immunisation service or local pharmacist immuniser.