Health Minister Brad Hazzard has urged families to use the school holidays to book in for a free flu shot which has been extended for NSW residents until July 17 amid concerns vaccination rates are still not where they should be.
Data provided by the Australian Immunisation Register as of June 26 shows only one in four children aged under five has had a flu shot, while the figures drops to 18 per cent for kids aged five to 15.
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The latest data also reveals Fairfield and Liverpool local government areas rank in the bottom eight for influenza vaccination rates across the 128 LGAs in NSW.
Only three LGAS - Bryon (19.6 per cent), Cobar 22 (per cent) and Walgett (23 per cent) - have worse influenza vaccination rates than Liverpool (23.6 per cent).
Fairfield (25.6 per cent) is only four spots higher ahead of Cumberland (23.9 per cent), Central Darling (23.9 per cent) and Canterbury-Bankstown (25.1 per cent).
The figures drop for children which is problematic with children under the age of 10 at most risk of contracting the flu this year, according to the latest health department influenza report.
In Fairfield, the uptake of flu shots is 13.8 per cent for ages six-months to five-years, while it's only slightly better (14.3 per cent) for kids aged five to 15. In Liverpool, the uptake is 15 per cent (ages six-months to five-years) and 12.6 per cent (ages five to 15).
The uptake of the influenza vaccine in Fairfield (49.7 per cent) and Liverpool (52.6 per cent) is greatest in the over-65 age group.
"These numbers are particularly concerning given in the last month, four times as many kids have been admitted to Sydney's two children's hospitals with flu than with COVID," Mr Hazzard said.
"It only takes a few minutes to get a flu jab but that time could mean the difference between you or one of your loved ones ending up in ICU so please, book in today."
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said the low uptake in Sydney's west and south-west is a concern and urged more people to come forward for their influenza vaccination to prevent unnecessary hospitalisations.
"More than 1000 people presented to our EDs with flu-like illness last week and almost 165 were so unwell they were admitted, including very young children," Dr Chant said.
"Please take advantage of the offer of the free vaccination to protect yourself against the flu this winter. There is plenty of supply and appointments available at GPs and pharmacies."
Chris Boulous
A journalist for the Fairfield and Liverpool Champion.
A journalist for the Fairfield and Liverpool Champion.
