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Australia has had record flu cases this year – and that’s before winter arrives. What’s going on?

⁨49⁩ ⁨likes⁩

Submitted ⁨⁨6⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago⁩ by ⁨vividspecter@lemm.ee⁩ to ⁨australia@aussie.zone⁩

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/may/23/flu-record-cases-vaccination-australia

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Comments

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  • vividspecter@lemm.ee ⁨6⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

    They should really make it free for everyone if they want increased uptake. It’s not exactly expensive, but any price at all is going to disincentivise people.

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    • Salvo@aussie.zone ⁨6⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

      Everyone I know wants to get vaccinated, has been vaccinated.

      There is a lot of disinformation about COVID and Flu vaccines at the moment and it is surprising how many people are in denial.

      But then I look at Seppo-land and the LNP and think “not that surprising after all”.

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      • Ilandar@lemm.ee ⁨6⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

        I don’t think the flu vaccine ever had a particularly high turnout, though. It’s less to do with vaccine scepticism and more to do with the fact that it’s optional and requires most people to go out of their way to get done. Couple that with the fact that seemingly every year there is a media campaign to scare people into getting it, and I think a lot of people just switch off. The only group that consistently takes it in high numbers are over-65s.

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      • hitmyspot@aussie.zone ⁨6⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

        I’ve had to go three times to my GP to get it for me and my kids. I’m still unvaccinated and they are vaccinated. Supply issues, fridge breakdown, poor communication. It should be easier.

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    • DiaDeLosMuertos@aussie.zone ⁨6⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

      Because of seeing this article this morning I booked in and just had mine on the way home. Free here in Queensland.

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    • thatKamGuy@sh.itjust.works ⁨6⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

      I’m lucky in that my work arranges them for us at no cost. Otherwise I’d never remember to get it done, as it always feels like it’s too early — until it becomes too late!

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      • CoolThingAboutMe@aussie.zone ⁨5⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

        Same for me. I struggle to keep on top of the planning for mandatory stuff for my family because I work more than full time and my spouse works full time and it’s just hard.

        If work didn’t organise shots at every office I wouldn’t go out of my way to add to my mental load to get it organised for myself.

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    • naevaTheRat@lemmy.dbzer0.com ⁨6⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

      It’s 20 bucks, if you haven’t got it and the price is a barrier message me and I’ll cover you lmao.

      Free would probably be ideal, but realistically people don’t get it because they’re lazy and don’t think of the flu as serious (which for most people, it isn’t). It’s an education problem, hence the higher rates with oldies.

      I’m honestly shocked more jobs don’t pay for people to go get it. 1 hour out of the office and 20 bucks and then you don’t have a whole week of sick leave. Most bean counters are stupid though, and got their job by doing coke with the right people more than anything else.

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      • hitmyspot@aussie.zone ⁨5⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

        Some workplaces, they get someone to come in, so you don’t even need to leave work to get it done.

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    • FreedomAdvocate@lemmy.net.au ⁨6⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

      The flu shot is free for everyone…isn’t it? It is where I live.

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      • vividspecter@lemm.ee ⁨6⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

        In some states like WA and Queensland but not all. It should be nation wide.

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  • sqgl@beehaw.org ⁨5⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

    And yet the flu vaccine is not mandatory for nursing home staff. I think it used to be pre-Covid but the cookers are winning.

    An annual influenza vaccine, prior to the influenza season, is strongly recommended for all staff of residential care facilities, and mandatory for NSW Health staff in category A positions.

    www.health.nsw.gov.au/…/care-facilities.aspx

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