THERE have been 87 confirmed cases of influenza in Tasmania this year, and that number is expected to rise significantly as winter approaches.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Acting Director of Public Health Mark Veitch said he urged Tasmanians to get a flu vaccination ‘‘very soon’’.
The North has so far seen 12 cases of influenza, with 18 in the North-West and 57 in the South.
Almost 110,000 Tasmanians have received a free flu vaccination this year.
Dr Veitch said the vaccination was free to at-risk groups, including anyone aged over 65, indigenous children aged between six months and five years, pregnant women, and indigenous people aged over 15.
‘‘Half of the cases so far this year have been in people older than 60 years,’’ he said.
‘‘Influenza can be a serious illness – don’t put off getting your jab until it’s too late.’’
Adults and children over six months with chronic medical conditions such as heart, lung or kidney diseases, asthma, diabetes, cancers, impaired immunity and neuromuscular conditions are also at risk from the virus.
Dr Veitch said the 2015 flu season was expected to be similar to previous years.
