Logan residents can help stop the spread of the flu this winter by following a few simple steps and getting immunised.
With the official start of winter just weeks away, the number of flu cases reported across the Metro South region is already growing.
Residents are being encouraged to get their flu vaccine now, stay home if unwell, and wash their hands regularly to help keep the community healthy.
Metro South Health Public Health Unit’s Dr Bhakti Vasant said the flu affected people in different ways, and while we had not yet seen the peak of flu in our region, it was important to get immunised to protect yourself and your loved ones.
“The best way to protect yourself is to get vaccinated every year and practise good hygiene,” Dr Vasant said.
“Flu viruses continue to evolve which is why it’s important to get a yearly flu vaccination. The best time to get vaccinated is before the flu season starts.”
Metro South has already recorded over 1800 cases of influenza this year, with Influenza A appearing the most dominant strain across Queensland.
The message from the Public Health Unit is simple: Take advantage of Queensland’s FREE flu vaccine and if you do get sick, wash your hands regularly, cough or sneeze into tissues, and keep your distance from others.
Logan and Beaudesert Health Service Infection Prevention Nurse Manager Tain Gardiner said everyone had a role to play in keeping the community safe and with World Immunisation Week approaching it was important to think about more than just the flu vaccination.
“Locally we have seen ongoing presentations of people with Varicella (chicken pox), Pertussis (whooping cough) and across the state we have seen an increase in presentations of Measles,” Tain said.
“While Australia has a fairly strong immunisation program, competing factors like COVID and international travel to certain countries has meant diseases, like Measles, are now on the rise in our community.
“We know Logan is home to a beautifully diverse population and in order to keep ourselves, our family members and our friends safe, we must talk about the importance of vaccinations, particularly before travel.”
As well as educating the community about Infection Prevention and Management, Tain and her team deliver flu vaccinations to hospital workers.
She said it was encouraging to see staff from Logan and Beaudesert hospitals leading by example, with more than 1300 health professionals already vaccinated.
Springwood resident Stephanie Masters got in early to take advantage of the free flu vaccination program.
Stephanie said getting vaccinated each year was a way to protect herself and her family from illness.
“I get the flu vaccination every year since having kids, because we already get so many viruses from daycare and school. The more we can prevent, the better,” she said.