The Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) community is being reminded to get their flu vaccine with the launch of the 2019 flu campaign recently.
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WNSWLHD Public Health Manager, Priscilla Stanley said: "With more than 9,600 confirmed influenza cases in NSW already this year, people should not delay and organise their flu jabs either at the GP or pharmacist.
"One million flu vaccines have now been delivered across the state."
Pregnant women, young children, the elderly and all Aboriginal people will be a major focus of this year's flu campaign.
Free flu vaccines are available for pregnant women, Aboriginal people, those aged over 65, and anyone with medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease.
Hospitalisation rates for influenza are highest in young children with recent national figures showing about 100 per 100,000 in those aged six to 23 months.
Ms Stanley outlined the importance of receiving an annual influenza vaccination as the best means of protecting yourself.
"While we might all take flu for granted as a common winter disease, it can be deadly," Ms Stanley said.
"In 2017, we had a significant flu season where more than 650 people died across the state.
"We cannot afford to be complacent."
The NSW Government has invested about $130 million in the 2018-19 Immunisation Program budget, including Commonwealth and state vaccines.
Free flu vaccines for children aged from six months to under five years of age are being provided under the NSW Government's $2.6 million program.
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs.
The flu spreads mostly from person to person, and people with flu are most contagious in the first three to four days after their illness begins.
The flu can come on suddenly. Early symptoms can include fatigue, body aches and chills, cough, sore throat, and fever.
For most people, influenza resolves on its own, but sometimes, the flu, and its complications, can be deadly. Flu viruses travel through the air in droplets when someone with the infection coughs or sneezes.
People are also reminded that to help reduce the spread of flu, sneeze into your elbow, wash your hands regularly and stay home if sick.
Flu vaccinations are available from Oberon Pharmacy and Oberon Medical Centre.
