Doctors are urging parents to vaccinate their children as influenza B continues to spread rapidly among children in Australia.
Health authorities have reported a recent surge in influenza B cases among young children.
According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, over 7,000 children aged between five and nine have been diagnosed with the virus this year.
Chief Medical Officer Anthony Lawler expressed concern over the low vaccination rate among children, especially as those under nine had the highest number of influenza notifications last year.
He also noted that deaths from influenza and respiratory viruses have increased in 2024 compared to the previous year.
Dr. Lawler warned that influenza, respiratory viruses, and Covid-19 are not to be mistaken for common colds.
These viruses can cause serious illness, lead to hospitalizations, and even result in death among healthy children and adults, he emphasized.
