[Vella Gonzaga]

Australia on high alert for 'twindemic' as winter flu season could create a perfect storm​

​

Australia on high alert for 'twindemic' as winter flu season could create a perfect storm​

As winter approaches, Australians are being warned to prepare for a potentially severe flu season. Experts say that the reduced exposure to the flu virus over the past two years, combined with low vaccination rates, could lead to a significant outbreak.

With international borders now open and people mingling more freely, the level of protection against the flu is lower than it has been in recent years as measures like mask mandates and social distancing requirements have largely come to an end. This, combined with the fact that the virus is notoriously difficult to predict, means that the potential for a severe outbreak is higher than usual.

Those who have not received this year’s flu vaccine are being encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible. This is particularly important for older Aussies.

The peak flu season usually occurs between July and September, but the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia says this year’s peak could be sooner, with cases of Influenza A already in the community.
​

Measures put in place to mitigate the spread of Covid-19.
Credits: James Gourley/NCA NewsWire​

Measures to protect people from COVID-19, such as the closure of international borders, quarantine for international travellers, masks, hand sanitisers, social distancing, working from home and school closures, have also been effective in suppressing circulation of flu. However, now that these restrictions have been lifted, the virus can spread more quickly.

Therefore, it is important for everyone to be aware of the symptoms of the flu and to take precautions to prevent its spread. These include washing your hands regularly, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, and covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough. If you do become ill, it is important to stay home and away from others to prevent the spread of the virus.

“This time last year the flu wasn’t such a concern, because we were all in lockdown or in isolation,” he said. “It’ll be different this season, and getting vaccinated against the flu is also something that’s really important to do”, according to Prof Jason Kovacic, a cardiologist at St Vincent’s hospital in Sydney.

“It’s mainly those in their 50s, 60s and 70s with severe underlying conditions getting into trouble at the moment”, he added.

In addition, those who have not yet received their COVID-19 vaccines or are eligible for a booster or “winter dose” are being encouraged to get both jabs at the same time.
​

A nurse administers the Pfizer vaccine to a client at the St Vincent's Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic
Credits: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images
​

According to the Department of Health, an additional booster of the COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for:
​

• Adults aged 65 years and older​
• Residents of aged care or disability care facilities​
• People aged 16 years and older with severe immunocompromise (as defined in the ATAGI statement on the use of a 3rd primary dose of COVID-19 vaccine in individuals who are severely immunocompromised)​
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and older.​

This article is not intended to be medical advice, so we recommend chatting to your GP.​

 

[Ricci]

This week 4th Covid jab, next week flu jab and ask GP about shingles jab. I feel I'm doing a passable imitation of a pin cushion!!

 

[peteloo]

​

Australia on high alert for 'twindemic' as winter flu season could create a perfect storm​

As winter approaches, Australians are being warned to prepare for a potentially severe flu season. Experts say that the reduced exposure to the flu virus over the past two years, combined with low vaccination rates, could lead to a significant outbreak.

With international borders now open and people mingling more freely, the level of protection against the flu is lower than it has been in recent years as measures like mask mandates and social distancing requirements have largely come to an end. This, combined with the fact that the virus is notoriously difficult to predict, means that the potential for a severe outbreak is higher than usual.

Those who have not received this year’s flu vaccine are being encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible. This is particularly important for older Aussies.

The peak flu season usually occurs between July and September, but the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia says this year’s peak could be sooner, with cases of Influenza A already in the community.
​

View attachment 3099
Measures put in place to mitigate the spread of Covid-19.
Credits: James Gourley/NCA NewsWire​

Measures to protect people from COVID-19, such as the closure of international borders, quarantine for international travellers, masks, hand sanitisers, social distancing, working from home and school closures, have also been effective in suppressing circulation of flu. However, now that these restrictions have been lifted, the virus can spread more quickly.

Therefore, it is important for everyone to be aware of the symptoms of the flu and to take precautions to prevent its spread. These include washing your hands regularly, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, and covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough. If you do become ill, it is important to stay home and away from others to prevent the spread of the virus.

“This time last year the flu wasn’t such a concern, because we were all in lockdown or in isolation,” he said. “It’ll be different this season, and getting vaccinated against the flu is also something that’s really important to do”, according to Prof Jason Kovacic, a cardiologist at St Vincent’s hospital in Sydney.

“It’s mainly those in their 50s, 60s and 70s with severe underlying conditions getting into trouble at the moment”, he added.

In addition, those who have not yet received their COVID-19 vaccines or are eligible for a booster or “winter dose” are being encouraged to get both jabs at the same time.
​

View attachment 3100
A nurse administers the Pfizer vaccine to a client at the St Vincent's Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic
Credits: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images
​

According to the Department of Health, an additional booster of the COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for:
​

• Adults aged 65 years and older​
• Residents of aged care or disability care facilities​
• People aged 16 years and older with severe immunocompromise (as defined in the ATAGI statement on the use of a 3rd primary dose of COVID-19 vaccine in individuals who are severely immunocompromised)​
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and older.​

This article is not intended to be medical advice, so we recommend chatting to your GP.​

For those who believe in having vaccine trigger your immunity, they will be happy to go ahead with both jabs and more.

But for those concerned about vaccine side-effects, there are alternatives in natural immune support, such as daily supplementing with Vitamin C, zinc, Vitamin D3 and K2.
This supplemental regime is not the cure, it just helps to support your immune system, like building a hedge on the river banks before the next flood.
Check with a naturopathic doctor for more advice.

 

[Ricci]

For those who believe in having vaccine trigger your immunity, they will be happy to go ahead with both jabs and more.

But for those concerned about vaccine side-effects, there are alternatives in natural immune support, such as daily supplementing with Vitamin C, zinc, Vitamin D3 and K2.
This supplemental regime is not the cure, it just helps to support your immune system, like building a hedge on the river banks before the next flood.
Check with a naturopathic doctor for more advice.

I agree that there are alternatives but when you add up the dollar cost of all those vitamins and supplements of questionable efficacy versus the injection which is free and tried and tested, in my humble opinion it's a no contest decision.

 

[Mars]

My Doctor never lets me go without the Flue Vaccination. I am 84 and I get Asthma and Bronchiectasis and I will be getting The second Covid Booster in May. At the moment I still wear my mask when I go out

 

[RhodaStarr]

For those who believe in having vaccine trigger your immunity, they will be happy to go ahead with both jabs and more.

But for those concerned about vaccine side-effects, there are alternatives in natural immune support, such as daily supplementing with Vitamin C, zinc, Vitamin D3 and K2.
This supplemental regime is not the cure, it just helps to support your immune system, like building a hedge on the river banks before the next flood.
Check with a naturopathic doctor for more advice.

We had the flu last year and the year before and the years proceeding. Even while Covid was raging and people died of that as well. I would like to know if many people had their flu injection as well as Covid. I have had my 3rd booster this week (4th injection) and flu injection as well. As a retired RN, I would prefer to be well than be very sick as in hospitals I have worked in, for the past 43 years.