WHO influenza expert’s confronting warning to those who haven’t had the flu jab

An influenza expert has issued a confronting warning to Australians who are yet to receive the flu vaccine.

Only about 31 per cent of Australians have received the flu jab this year.

Deputy director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, Professor Ian Barr, says it’s particularly risky for children and the elderly.

Professor Barr says flu vaccination levels are particularly low this year.

“I think vaccine fatigue is one thing. The other thing is people think they had time, we’ve had an early season this year so we may be near to the peak of the season, so that’s about two months earlier than we usually see,” he told Ross and Russel.

To those who haven’t yet been vaccinated, Professor Barr shared a confronting message.

“There’s a lot of influenza around. You don’t want to get it, it will put you out for at least thee or four days,” he said.

“If you’re at risk with complications — such as lung and heart conditions, asthma, diabetes, overweight, pregnant women, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander — you have a higher chance of ending up in hospital or with more severe cases and some people will die.

“We’ve had 27 deaths already this year — age range 11 to 97 years.

“It can kill you.”

Press PLAY below to hear Professor Barr’s warning