Members keen to safeguard their health ahead of flu season.

Ray Dib always likes to ensure he’s protected when flu season comes around. 

“I get the flu jab every year,” Ray, who sits on the Board of Sydney Local Health District, said. 

“Since taking it, I’ve never gotten the flu. It works.” 

“I always make sure I get mine too – it’s worth it to be protected,” added Rob Furolo, a fellow Board member. 

The Board members had their annual flu vaccines at RPA Hospital ahead of this year’s flu season. 

“In 2023, we expect influenza cases to increase in New South Wales in the winter months,” Dr Leena Gupta, the District’s Clinical Director of Public Health, said. 

Flu is more serious than the common cold and, in some cases, can cause you to become seriously ill or be hospitalised. 

NSW Health and Sydney Local Health District are urging members of the public to protect themselves by getting a flu jab as soon as possible. 

“Vaccination is the best way to protect you and your loved ones against flu. The best time to get vaccinated is now, before the start of influenza season,” Dr Gupta said. 

Dr Gupta also stressed that even if people have been vaccinated against flu in the past, they still needed to be vaccinated this year to ensure they are protected against newer strains of the virus. 

“You cannot get the flu from the vaccine and flu vaccines can be administered on the same day as Covid vaccinations,” she added. 

The flu can pose a greater health risk to certain members of the population. 

They include: 

• Pregnant women 
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 
• Children aged between six months and five years 
• Adults aged 65 and over  
• People with certain chronic health conditions and those who are immunocompromised.  

Anyone who falls into one of these categories can get vaccinated against flu for free through their GP. 

“It is especially important that members of our community who are most at risk of getting seriously ill from the flu get vaccinated as soon as possible,” Dr Gupta said. 

“A key point to note is that influenza can be serious in children so it is important that they are protected.” 

There is a special flu vaccine available for adults aged 65 and over. 

Additionally, all NSW Health staff are being offered free flu vaccinations in a bid to reduce the spread of the virus. 

“We strongly encourage our staff to register for a vaccine to protect patients, staff and their families,” Dr Gupta said.  

Also speaking as she got her flu vaccination, Board member Kerry-Anne Hartman emphasised the need to look out for others when considering the jab: 

“It helps lower your risk of spreading it to others. You're protecting not only yourself but those you come in contact with who may be at higher risk of developing severe illness from influenza,” she said. 

You can learn more about influenza and the flu vaccine on the NSW Health website.