The annual influenza season has arrived in the NT and health authorities are encouraging the public to get vaccinated.
The Director of the Centre for Disease Control, Dr Vicki Krause, said: "Our surveillance systems looking at Emergency Department visits, GP attendances and laboratory data have seen a rise in influenza cases across the NT.
"It is not too late to get vaccinated but Territorians should do it soon".
The influenza vaccine is safe and effective in preventing severe influenza illness.
Dr Krause said: "Senior Territorians are at most risk of influenza, and its complications, even if they are fit and healthy. Younger people and children with chronic disease such as diabetes, lung disease, heart disease or kidney disease can also get severe influenza which can lead to hospitalisation. Influenza however, can affect anyone".
The influenza vaccine is available free of charge for all non-indigenous adults aged 65-years and over, all indigenous adults 50-years and over and indigenous people aged between 15 and 49 years who have a chronic illness.
"Those not in these risk groups can still visit their GP to obtain a prescription for the vaccine, Dr Krause said.
"People who come in contact with others at high risk, including health care workers, nursing home staff and people who live with those in high risk groups should also be vaccinated against influenza."
Women who are pregnant in their second or third trimester should be vaccinated to prevent complications of influenza. The vaccine is safe and effective in pregnancy.
Dr Krause said there are very few side effects from the vaccine, and those suffered were generally mild.
"It is not a live vaccine and therefore cannot cause influenza", she said.
Media Contact: Cameron Jackson, DHF Media Liaison Officer 0401 116 144
Release date: 24 September 2008
