It comes as the dreaded virus infects the region in numbers unseen for more than a decade. 

More than 300 patients from across the region, tested positive for influenza last week alone, according to the Murrumbidgee Public Health Unit (MPHU).

More than 110 of these patients, were from Wagga. 

Statistics also showed more than 400 men, women and children had presented to the Riverina’s emergency departments with flu-like symptoms such as: a fever; cough; shortness of breath; and sore throat. 

MPHU confirmed the flu strains being diagnosed across the region were the same strains the vaccination protected against. 

Doctor Phillip Knowles said the inoculation was the only defence against the most popular influenza strands. 

“It is certainly getting around,” Dr Knowles said. “It’s not too late to get the shot.”

Dr Knowles said all children over the age of six-months should be getting vaccinated. 

He said it was the only way to avoid the dreaded, highly infectious and potentially lethal disease.

Dr Knowles busted the common myths, he said were poorly influencing residents’ decisions. 

“The shot isn’t a live virus,” he said. “It’s a killed virus.”

He said there were some residents who reported getting cold-like symptoms, as a reaction to the shot, but it was a natural immune system response.

“It is not an infection,” Dr Knowles said. “It’s not the flu.”

He said the symptoms would also not last long. 

Dr Knowles said the vaccine worked to boost the immune system generally.

“Not many people know that,” he said. 

“It does a lot more than just guard against the flu.”

MPHU director Tracey Oakman said the region was in the crux of the flu season, with patient numbers “significantly higher” than previous years. 

“Flu season is predictable in its length,” Ms Oakman said. “We’re thinking the peak is here and it will start dropping across the next few weeks.”

See also: Dreaded lurgy infects Wagga 

See also: Australia in the grips of worst flu season in at least 15 years