Visitors to aged carefacilities in NSW are urged to get vaccinated against flu, with more outbreaks ofthe potentially deadly virus so far this year than for all of 2018.
NSW Health Director ofCommunicable Diseases, Dr Vicky Sheppeard, said anyone considering visiting anaged care facility should get a flu vaccination and if they are unwell to stayaway.
“People in aged care homes arehighly vulnerable to flu which is why it’s so important to be vaccinatedagainst it, if you are visiting loved ones regularly,” Dr Sheppeard said.
“Most of those who have diedfrom flu-related complications this year have been elderly but all of us are atrisk unless we protect ourselves and those we care about.
“Our hospitals have seen anunprecedented number of flu cases this year, as has the rest of the country, soplease, roll up your sleeve and go and get your flu jab now.”
NSW continues to have supplies of flu vaccine for state funded programs. Free vaccines are available under the NationalImmunisation Program for those aged over 65 years, pregnant women, Aboriginalpeople and those with serious medical conditions.
Figures show there have been50 influenza outbreaks in NSW aged care facilities as of 2 June and 14 deaths,compared with an annual total of 42 outbreaks in 2018.
The latest InfluenzaSurveillance Report shows 2345 flu cases for the week ending 2 June, upfrom 1934 notifications the previous week and 49 confirmed deaths.
NSW Health is working hard tostop the spread of the flu and care for elderly people in the community bysupporting a range of programs including:
- BRACE Aged Care RapidResponse Team: a multidisciplinary service aiming to provide a timelyassessment of frail, older people in the community, either in their own homesor residential aged care facilities
- Geriatric Flying Squad: a programfor clinicians to treat elderly flu and gastroenteritis patients in aged carefacilities
- FluInfoKit: a guide for agedcare facilities to prepare and respond to flu outbreaks
- Public health unitssupporting and monitoring influenza outbreaks, including supplying antivirals whenrequested
The NSW Government hasinvested about $130 million in the 2018-19 Immunisation Program budget,including Commonwealth and state vaccines.
