The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) is throwing its support behind Western Australia's influenza vaccination drive.
It comes following the state Government announcing the free flu vaccination program starting 1 May this year for all WA residents aged six months and over. The RACGP has been urging patients to prepare for the peak flu season following concerning reports of record case numbers this year. Australia has already recorded more than 48,000 cases of lab-confirmed influenza this year, which is 50% higher than this time last year.
RACGP Vice President and WA chair, Dr Ramya Raman, encouraged patients to roll up their sleeve.
"Western Australia is leading by example with a fourth annual influenza vaccination drive, and other states and territories should follow suit," she said.
"The vaccines, recommended for everyone over six months of age, will be available throughout May and June, and the RACGP is urging patients to visit their local GP and get vaccinated.
"Making this vaccine accessible for everyone state-wide will save lives. At the end of March, there were more than 4,000 lab-confirmed cases of influenza, and this is likely only scratching the surface. During the same time last year, there were 1,767 confirmed influenza cases.
"We must be prepared, and the number one defence we have against this virus is getting as many people vaccinated as possible. More than 1,000 deaths in 2024 involved the flu, a 67.3% increase on the year before.
"Unfortunately, vaccination rates are falling. For children aged five and under, vaccination coverage was only 30.3% in 2023 and just 25.8% last year.
"This year, we're witnessing record case numbers, and it's vital that we get as many people vaccinated as possible. However, many practices won't have received their vaccine supply yet. So, if your GP clinic has not yet received sufficient stock or they're prioritising certain patient groups, please be patient and speak to practice team members with respect and courtesy, they will be doing their best to get you vaccinated as soon as they can.
"The more people we have vaccinated within our communities, the easier it will be to protect those most vulnerable, including older patients and those who are immunocompromised."
