Flu season looms

Have you had your flu immunisation yet?

Last year was a killer flu season in Australia. Figures collected by ABC’s 7.30 program showed more than 370 confirmed influenza deaths in Australia 2017. Many of these were in aged care residences.

Villa Maria Catholic Homes is determined to do its bit to help prevent another national epidemic this flu season by again offering free flu vaccinations to its more than 2,000 staff members, with a particular focus on educating those working within our residential aged care homes.

Each year in Australia, influenza is responsible for:

• 300,000 doctor visits
• 18,000 hospital admissions
• 1,500 to 3,000 deaths

Residential Services Clinical Manager Jeff Brooks said last year only 35 per cent of VMCH staff took up the opportunity of a free flu vaccine.

This year, we want to see all of our staff vaccinated.

“In all likelihood you will be in contact with Influenza during the flu season, be it at work, through family, friends or even doing the shopping or on public transport. If we all step up and try and prevent the spread of the flu, we all help minimise the impact.”

Jeff says evidence shows good hand hygiene, cough etiquette and the flu injection will significantly reduce people becoming ill.

For more information on the flu and how to safeguard against it, click here.