It’s that time of year again. As Queenslanders struggle to shrug off the summer flu, health authorities are urging residents to get their vaccinations now, with the winter season almost upon us.

Luca Ikesu-Ling reports.

TRANSCRIPT

It’s time to roll up your sleeves, and get prepared.

Winter is coming and so is the flu.

Already more than eight thousand Queenslanders have been struck down by influenza this year.

Steven Miles, Health Minister: “The summer flu numbers have been higher than traditionally expected, and while that’s not necessarily an indicator to the winter flu, numbers will be high.”

Doctors are concerned we could see a repeat of 2017’s horror season, where more than 56,000 people required treatment.

Krispin Haikowics, Royal Brisbane Hospital: “We had the worst flu ever where emergency departments across to the brink because of an extremely large number of presentations and the best way of avoiding that is to get a flu vaccination.”

The flu can strike at any time, with the young and elderly most at risk.

Steven Miles, Health Minister: “Every Queenslander can play their part to keep themselves healthy but also to relieve pressure on our hardworking doctors and nurses and health staff here in our hospitals and that’s by getting their flu shots.”

With the numbers of summer flu cases rising in the last few years, health authorities are urging residents to be prepared and get themselves vaccinated.

The injection takes just a few minutes of your time, but could prevent a whole lot of pain later on.

Luca Ikesu-Ling, QUT News.