― Over 80 percent of Australian hospital admissions for confirmed or suspected influenza occur in those aged under 65 years¹ ―

29 March 2010: Influenza experts today joined together to remind Australians that influenza is not just a risk for older Australians, with national data showing that 80 percent of those hospitalised annually with suspected or confirmed influenza are younger than 65 years of age.¹*

The announcement follows a recent Commonwealth Government decision² to make free influenza vaccines available to approximately 2.2 million Australians³** aged under 65 years who live with underlying medical conditions, are pregnant or are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent.

"Many people under 65 years are not aware of the risks from contracting influenza, or the benefits of having the vaccine," said Dr Alan Hampson, OAM, Chair of the Influenza Specialist Group (ISG) and consultant to the World Health Organization (WHO)...

For full media release and fact sheets see
 National ISG Release 29 March 2010 129.04 Kb
 ISG Fact Sheet Influenza 2010  54.18 Kb
 Fact Sheet: Influenza in people predisposed to serious complications from influenza 89.27 Kb  

or see Annual Media Launch Influenza 2010

Content updated March 28, 2010