A better uptake of the flu vaccine – and a vaccine that was a better match to the main strains – have seen a far milder flu season in the Illawarra this year.
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From January to September, there were 498 confirmed cases of flu throughout the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD). That compares to a whopping 4634 cases for the same period in 2017.
Overall there was 4900 flu cases within the health district for 2017, which was one of the nation’s deadliest flu seasons since records began.
In 2016, the region recorded 1252 cases while fewer flu cases were recorded in 2015 (899 cases); 2014 (599) and 2013 (229).
An ISLHD spokeswoman said several factors contributed to this year’s milder flu season.
“In particular we should acknowledge the efforts of the community who responded early to the call to be vaccinated and in greater numbers,” she said.
“We had a 50 per cent increase in requests for flu vaccines across NSW and the federally-supplied vaccine this year was a better match to the main flu strains, predominantly influenza A(H1N1).”
Among the strategies to combat the notoriously busy winter season this year, was a pop-up flu prevention event at Wollongong Hospital in April, where the public could access free flu shots.
An extra 52 full-time staff were also recruited to the district’s hospitals to manage the expected increase in patient demand.
And while flu numbers were far lower, the spokeswoman said hospital emergency departments remained busy.
“A number of strategies were implemented to assist with ED presentations,” she said. “(These included) additional beds at Wollongong Hospital and several other sites to accommodate surges in patient numbers.
“Meantime nurse practitioner hours were increased at Shellharbour Hospital during this period to boost the fast track through the ED, and additional after-hours patient flow support was put in place.”
In 2017-18 the NSW Government spent $22.75 million on statewide immunisation programs, which included a $1.75 million immunisation campaign and $3.5 million for free flu shots to children up to five years of age.
The flu vaccine is also free under the National Immunisation Program for pregnant women, Aboriginal people and those who are aged 65 years or more, or have medical conditions.