One of the country's leading epidemiologists says children should get the flu jab as soon as possible to help protect Canberrans who can't get it for a while after they've had a COVID-19 vaccine.
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The Therapeutic Goods Administration has recommended that people keep a gap of at least 14 days between when they get the flu jab, and when they get the Pfizer or the AstraZeneca vaccine.
That means they might be putting off the flu vaccine for longer than usual, and more people could potentially come down with influenza.
But UNSW Professor of Epidemiology Mary-Louise McLaws said authorities were banking on a repeat of last year's low flu numbers to avoid that, as well as parents leading the charge and getting their children the flu jab.
In 2020, the ACT had its lowest number of laboratory-confirmed flu cases since 2010: 200 cases, a 95 per cent decrease from 4072 cases in 2019.
"[We had a] very low flu season last year so we're banking on the fact that we'll also have a low one [this year]", Professor McLaws, who also advises the World Health Organisation, said.
"[Children] drive flu and if we vaccinate them, then the adults that are delaying their flu vaccine because of the instructions should be at much less risk."
Professor McLaws said the 14-day waiting period for getting the flu jab was a "precautionary" measure, given there wasn't evidence to say getting two vaccines at once would negatively affect peoples' immune response.
"I think they want to ensure that any adverse response is not hidden or masked or considered to be related to COVID when in fact, it's related to a common response to a flu vaccine that may be a sense of tiredness or a headache or injection site pain," Professor McLaws said.
Children won't be eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine unless it's recommended.
Professor McLaws said she expected the flu vaccine would be available in April.
The ACT's COVID-19 vaccine rollout plan is set to start next week, with the territory's Chief Minister Andrew Barr on Monday saying all adult Canberrans should be eligible for the vaccine by July this year at the earliest.
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith on Wednesday put 2020's low flu numbers down to Canberrans practising social distancing, staying home and following the government's advice.
She said she hoped numbers would stay low in 2021.
"Of course, we are seeing people out and about and interacting much more than they were during what would normally be the flu season in 2020, so I expect we will see these numbers increase a bit," she said.
"But people have become much more conscious of the things that they need to do to prevent the spread of infectious diseases more broadly."
The minister said the low flu numbers in 2020 showed just how effective good hygiene practices, people staying home when they were unwell and physical distancing were in helping to prevent the spread of disease.
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Cassandra Morgan
It has never been more important for Canberrans to be able to access reliable and accurate information about health. As The Canberra Times’ health reporter, I am committed to ensuring our readers have access to this. I, like many in the territory, have family members who work in the sector. Although providing comprehensive coverage on the coronavirus pandemic is obviously my number one priority, I aim to frequently shed light on the fantastic work our frontline professionals do, as well as the challenges they face. Email me tips and story ideas at: c.morgan@canberratimes.com.au.
It has never been more important for Canberrans to be able to access reliable and accurate information about health. As The Canberra Times’ health reporter, I am committed to ensuring our readers have access to this. I, like many in the territory, have family members who work in the sector. Although providing comprehensive coverage on the coronavirus pandemic is obviously my number one priority, I aim to frequently shed light on the fantastic work our frontline professionals do, as well as the challenges they face. Email me tips and story ideas at: c.morgan@canberratimes.com.au.
