With more than twice as many flu cases in Wyndham this year as in 2013, residents are being reminded it’s still not too late to get a shot.
Latest statistics show 133 Wyndham residents caught the flu between January 1 and August 19 this year, up from 58 in the same period last year.
Wyndham has had the most flu cases in the western suburbs and the fifth highest in the state. Casey has had the most, with 250 cases.
In Wyndham, babies and children under nine were the worst affected, followed by adults aged between 35-39.
Influenza Specialist Group chairman Dr Alan Hampson said people incorrectly assumed the flu mainly affected elderly people.
“The reality is that influenza results in 18,000 hospital cases every year,” he said.
“Many of those seriously affected are not elderly, they’re regular working people.
“Vaccination is the single best prevention as you are protecting yourself and those around you from serious illness. But don’t put it off. The window is rapidly closing because your body needs time to respond to the vaccine.”
Free vaccination is available for people 65 and over, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged 15 and over, pregnant women and anyone over six months with a medical condition that can lead to severe influenza.
South Western Melbourne Medicare Local attributes the surge in flu cases in Wyndham to the recent wet weather and icy days.
A spokeswoman for the group said anyone suffering from the flu should stay at home and avoid contact with elderly people, pregnant women, children and people with chronic diseases.
