The Murrumbidgee flu season has ended with far fewer cases and almost no serious health notifications.
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It follows the national trend that registered up to 1000 fewer deaths from influenza than the previous 12 month period.
This year across Australia, there were 73 counted deaths as a result of influenza, 31 of those were in NSW.
Previously in 2017, that number was up to 1137.
“This year, there were no deaths that we know of in the Murrumbidgee,” said Tracey Oakman, director of public health for the Murrumbidgee Local Health District.
“It was a significantly better season this year, and it was actually quite remarkable the difference to the previous year.”
Ending in October, the Murrumbidgee’s flu season saw 278 patients present with influenza.
That compared to the 3049 confirmed cases in 2017.
The success of this year’s season may be a result of a higher herd immunity rate, via more people receiving the vaccination.
But it may also have been a result of a more rudimentary effective vaccine.
“When the vaccination is closely matched to the strain of influenza out there, it’s more effective,” said Ms Oakman.
With vaccinations developed up to six months before the flu season.
In that interim, the strain of virus it is supposed to protect against can mutate beyond the efficiency of the vaccination. This process is known as ‘antigenic drift’.
“You grow the virus and then kill it to make the vaccination,” said Ms Oakman.
“What can happen some years is the [virus] can change quite late when there isn’t any time to do anything about it.
“We’re fairly fortunate it didn’t happen this year.”
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Couple with the higher uptake among Murrumbidgee residents, it made for a better flu season.
“It’s hard to know what motivated people to get vaccinated this year,” said Ms Oakman.
“Maybe it was last year’s dreadful season that prompted people to actually go out and get it done.”
The sudden increase, however, did pose problems for vaccination availability halfway through the season.
But the strength of those who had already received the protection helped to bolster the community against an outbreak.
“This year in NSW there was a shortage, but never among the high-risk groups,” said Ms Oakman.
“The groups that get it for free because they are more vulnerable to severe illness, there was always enough for them.
“It was the short-term vaccinations for everyone else that ran out temporarily.”
Though it is still too early to predict the incoming season, Ms Oakman anticipates it will fall similarly.
“There are too many variables between now and next year to know exactly how it will all go, but I would expect that we would see that same demand,” she said.
“I’d also think that more vaccinations will be made available to meet that demand, and if it’s a good match again then it’ll be another good year.”