Children under five in Queensland are currently experiencing the highest per capita rates of influenza cases, amidst a significant surge across the state. Since the beginning of this year, over 440 children aged between six months to four years have been hospitalised due to the flu, with 145 of those admissions occurring in the past month alone.
School-aged children also reflect a concerning trend, with 34 hospitalisations reported in the last week among those aged 5 to 17, bringing the total number since January to 420. Queensland’s Chief Health Officer, Dr Catherine McDougall, highlighted that young children are not only more susceptible to influenza infections but also face higher risks of severe illness. She urged parents to prioritise their children’s health and consider vaccination as a critical measure to prevent serious health issues and hospital admissions.
Dr McDougall noted that vaccination is available for children over six months of age; however, many who have not been vaccinated are filling hospital beds. She also mentioned that getting vaccinated during pregnancy can provide important protection for infants in their first six months, prior to their eligibility for vaccination.
The latest data from Queensland Health reveals that there have been 53,572 flu cases reported this year, with a staggering 88 per cent of those affected unvaccinated. Alarmingly, less than 30 per cent of Queensland’s population has received a flu vaccination this year, making it the lowest rate in the country.
Despite winter nearing its end, Dr McDougall reassured the public that it remains advisable to seek flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. The surge in cases this time last year supports her assertion that flu-related hospitalisations could continue to rise in the coming weeks.
Currently, over 240 hospital beds throughout Queensland are occupied by flu patients daily, with 118 fatalities related to influenza reported this year. The call for increased vaccination efforts is urgent, as health officials work to curb this troubling trend among the state’s youth.