Urgent flu vaccines rolled out in SA to combat surge in illnesses

The South Australian government has started an urgent, early roll out of free flu vaccines following a surge in the number of influenza cases this year.

Free vaccines for children under five started today with the roll out for those aged 65 and over already underway.

Close to 4,500 cases have been reported since the start of the year, almost four times as many as the same time last year.

The Health Minister said immunisation providers will receive the stock for those eligible for free flu shots over the next fortnight and throughout the season.

"We have seen the highest number of cases for this time of year in more than ten years, so we have begun distributing vaccines as soon as they have become available," Minister Stephen Wade said.

"The State Government is again funding free flu shots for about 90,000 eligible children aged between six months and under five years to help protect vulnerable young children and minimise the spread of the flu."

Health authorities say the vaccines can take up to two weeks to reach immunisation providers and appointments may not be available immediately.

They are urging people who are eligible for the free shot to get it and protect themselves against the potentially deadly illness.

SA Health's Director of the Communicable Disease Control Branch, Dr Louise Flood is urging everyone to contact their GP or immunisation provider to get a flu shot.

"Especially those in the high-risk groups such as young children, people aged over 65 and pregnant women, who can get vaccinated for free," Dr Flood said.

The flu warning comes as the Ambulance Union revealed it is taking legal action against the government to fight for more paramedics.

It says negotiations over staff and conditions have failed and is calling for immediate action to ease the pressure on its staff and our hospitals.