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Australia and other countries in the southern hemisphere need support, so they have the ability to control both seasonal influenza and respiratory disease COVID-19, says an expert from the World Health Organization.
The experience that these countries will have with both diseases circulating at the same time will greatly benefit countries in the northern hemisphere that may face the same situation in six months, WHO chief of emergency program Mike Ryan said at a conference. of press.
Ryan referred to Australia, as well as South Africa, Chile and Argentina in his comments on Monday.
Local warning
It occurs when the WA health minister has had some harsh words for the anti-vaxxer movement, telling them to “get out of the way or stay home” as flu season approaches.
For more information on 7NEWS.com.au
In addition to the current COVID-19 situation, doctors and nurses are preparing for the flu season, and health authorities strongly urge Western Australians to get their flu shot this year.
While social distancing has seen a reduction in respiratory illness, there is no guarantee that WA will not have another shocking flu season like last year.
Bad flu season
The flu hit hard last year, with 80 deaths, five of those children under the age of 10.
There were 22,000 confirmed cases, of which 3,343 were children between the ages of five and nine.
The government expects the public to show the same level of support for flu vaccines as for social distancing guidelines.
An additional $ 40,000 is being spent on funds to ensure higher immunization levels among children.
Credit: 7News
The immunization program has expanded to include all elementary school-age children before the start of the second quarter beginning on Wednesday.
“This is a really important element because we know that children are carriers of the influenza virus and it is really important because we know that by immunizing our young people, we can protect our older people,” the WA Health Minister said Monday, Roger Cook.
“Obviously this year, more than any other year, we need people to make sure they get their flu shots to ensure we don’t have the double hit of COVID-19 and a bad flu season.”
That goes for older Australians, especially now.
“The vaccines have been clinically proven,” said Cook.
“Anti-vaxxers, get out of the way or stay home because we need the community to be protected from this difficult disease.
“The message to everyone in the community is that vaccines save lives.”
