Record number of health workers get flu jab

A record number of healthcare workers have protected themselves against influenza in 2020 by getting vaccinated.

In a tick over three weeks more than 85 per cent of all Townsville Hospital and Health Service staff have received their vaccine.

Townsville Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Kieran Keyes said the response from health workers had been extraordinary.

“We’ve vaccinated more staff in three weeks than we did all of last year,” he said.

“Last year we had a record 4600 staff get their vaccination and this year we are already above 5500.

“It has been a brilliant response and will make a huge difference in keeping our staff and our patients safe.”

Mr Keyes said while COVID-19 had played a role in the record numbers, he said increased vaccination clinics over public holidays and for night and early shifts had also made a difference.

Townsville University Hospital paediatrician Dr Jason Yates said he gets the influenza vaccination every year.

“I see plenty of unwell little ones with respiratory illnesses at work and I’ve also got a daughter at home,” he said.

“Vaccination is a simple and easy step that I take every year to protect my patients and my family.

“Influenza can be a really serious disease that can keep people out of action for weeks at a time and sometimes they need hospitalisation.

Mr Keyes said last year was a record season for influenza across North Queensland with 3579 cases.

“Last year North Queenslanders were admitted to hospital, some required treatment in intensive care and sadly, some died,” he said.

“The best protection against influenza is vaccination.

“We will be busy responding to one pandemic this year, we don’t want to be managing an influenza outbreak as well.”

Influenza spreads through droplets made when people cough, sneeze or talk and can survive on surfaces for hours at a time. This is the same way the illness is spread regardless of the season.

“There are two main ways to stop the spread of Influenza. The first and most effective way to get the annual Influenza vaccine. Good hygiene, particularly handwashing, also helps prevent the spread of the illness,” Mr Keyes said.

“True influenza virus is different to ordinary coughs or colds and can be much more serious.

“Most people recover with bed rest however it can be a severe disease for people who have underlying health conditions as well as the elderly and young.”

Groups most at risk of being severely impacted by Influenza can receive a free vaccine, this includes: people over the age of 65, pregnant women, those with medical conditions which increase their risk to severe Influenza children aged between six months and five years and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged 15 years and older.

There are a series of treatment options across Townsville from private facilities to GPs to pharmacies.