Most of those who sleep rough don't visit a GP to get a flu shot - so on Saturday the doctors went to them. Six Wollongong doctors - all members of the Indian Australian Cultural Association Illawarra - volunteered their time to offer the homeless and disadvantaged protection against the flu. Around 100 flu vaccines - provided by the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District - were administered for free from 10am to midday at MacCabe Park. Those who turned up also enjoyed a free breakfast thanks to Vinnies and the Wollongong Talk and Fork Community - a group that runs regular BBQs for people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. Read more: Homeless people encouraged to 'feel at home' in Wollongong libraries Ear, nose and throat specialist Dr Sharad Tamhane said with flu numbers already spiking this year, it was vital to ensure vulnerable communities were protected. "The Indian community does whatever it can to help others in the Wollongong community," he said. "So we thought that the community barbecue was a great opportunity for us to come and give vaccines to people who do not usually access medical services such as GPs and hospitals. "Flu is rampant in society, but it's something that can be preventable through the flu vaccine. It can also reduce the severe complications associated with flu if people do fall ill." Jen Dixon, the manager of St Vincent de Paul's homeless services at Coniston, was delighted with the turnout on Saturday. "We've been concerned about the flu season this year, and how it can impact those who are homeless," she said. "The fact that many of them are out in the open, and also have a range of other health conditions, makes them quite vulnerable. "And their poor living conditions and nutrition makes it harder to treat them if they do become infected." The local health district will hold more free flu shot clinics, targeted at vulnerable groups in the community. The dates and details will be directly communicated to those groups by district staff. Read more: Illawarra residents urged to get flu shot as death toll rises Meantime free flu vaccines are available at GPs for pregnant women, Aboriginal people, those aged over 65 and under five, as well as anyone with medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease. It's shaping up to be a horror flu season, with more than 730 confirmed cases throughout the ISLHD so far this year, and several deaths. The region's hospitals are preparing for increased demand in the peak season - July to September - according to executive director clinical operations Margaret Martin. "The LHD is investing over $2 million in strategies to manage increased patient demand over winter, including providing additional staff in a number of areas across the district," she said. "We are also working closely with our partners in residential aged care, NSW Ambulance and the primary health network to manage periods of high demand."