Doctors Warn: Protect Vulnerable

ACCORDING to local doctors influenza killed several elderly people in the Scone community last year and they are imploring people to have a flu vaccination.

“On average more than 3,500 people in Australia die from influenza each year and each season we see some of those deaths in our local community,” said Dr Abbott,  general practitioner, Scone Medical Practice.

“It is frustrating knowing that those deaths would be reduced if more people in our community were vaccinated and if people practiced proper infection control,” he said.

“Don’t risk going near an elderly person if you are unwell, it is not worth the risk you are placing on them,” he said.

“I personally get the flu vaccination each year because I want to protect vulnerable people in our community, but I also don’t have time to go down with the flu,” he said.

Each year the flu kills 3,500 people including elderly residents in the Upper Hunter.

“There are lots of misnomers about the flu vaccine, it doesn’t vaccinate you against every strain of virus that causes flu like symptoms because there are hundreds, but the World Health Organisation monitors globally what the worst and most serious strains are and include those in the vaccine each year and this year there are four sub-types in the vaccine,” he said.

“It won’t protect you from getting the common cold or a less serious strain, but it will protect you and our community from the worst strains so I would encourage people to get the vaccine and to please avoid contact with vulnerable people in our community if you are unwell,” Dr Richard Abbott said.

The flu season spans from May until October, with the peak of illness typically in August.

Some people are eligible to receive the influenza vaccination under a government funded program, from general practitioners or other immunisation providers: see if you are eligible.

Infection Control:

To stop the spread of influenza this season:

• washing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds;
• using a hand sanitiser;
• avoiding contact with people who are sick;
• avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth;
• cleaning and disinfect surfaces touched frequently, for example at work your phone and keyboard;
• staying at home when you are unwell, and
• coughing into your elbow rather than your hand.