Flu season

The flu season in Australia occurs from May to September. However, since 2022, there has been a rise in flu cases during the summer months. This is due to increased social mixing and travel to Europe or North America, which has resulted in many people bringing the flu back with them in January, February, and March. Additionally, Australians are more susceptible to the disease as the lack of flu in 2020 and 2021 has led to a loss of natural immunity, and this situation is particularly concerning for young children.

The severity of a flu season is largely determined by the number of people who receive flu shots and the effectiveness of those shots. Since the flu virus is capable of mutating, the vaccines target the parts that are prone to mutation, which is why new vaccines are developed annually. If the virus mutates in just a few months, it can lead to a severe flu season. So, there is no need for me to wait; I have booked my flu vaccination for next week.