Parents are being urged to book their children in for a free flu vaccination following the death of a four-year-old boy. The boy, who died at the Austin Hospital in Melbourne’s northeast on June 10, was farewelled at a private funeral on Tuesday. The Victorian Department of Health’s latest surveillance data revealed that notified influenza cases had increased across all age groups, with the biggest increase recorded in those aged under five.
“We’re expecting flu cases to keep rising in the weeks ahead so it’s critical people book in their flu vaccination now, particularly for those groups at higher risk of severe illness such as children,” Chief Health Officer Dr Clare Looker said. “Flu is highly contagious and while most people may only experience mild to moderate symptoms, for some it can be deadly.