A super flu season on its way

Experts warn we are heading into a super flu season. 19,000 flu cases have already been reported, more than double this time last year.

Doctor Ric Gordon links the higher flu rates to increases in population, as well as the fact more people are living in cities in close proximity.

In light of this, experts are urging Australians to get vaccinated at their doctors or an accredited pharmacist from April on.

This year’s flu vaccine will immunise against the strains of the virus predicted to be most dangerous this season. Those strains are different from previous years so having had a vaccination last year will not protect you this season.

“The flu virus is extremely contagious,” says pharmacist, Caroline Diamantis. “Even the fit and young and healthy can get the flu virus. It's important that everyone gets the flu vaccine.”

There were shortages of the flu vaccine last year, but Dr Gordon stressed this should not be the case this year, as doctors and pharmacists are better prepared.