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Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) is encouraging everyone to get their flu shot.
The more people vaccinated the more protection within the community for everyone.
Community immunity, or "herd immunity", protects the people in the community who can't be vaccinated, therefore, this only works when flu vaccination coverage is high.
"People who can't protect themselves with vaccination include some of the most vulnerable in our communities, such as older people, babies, pregnant women and those weakened by medical conditions," MPHN CEO Melissa Neal said.
"If most people within a community are immune to the flu, then this collective immunity protects others by reducing their risk of being exposed to the flu virus by an infected person.
"You should get vaccinated each year.
"The flu virus is always changing so the vaccine changes too.
"To achieve the highest level of protection during peak flu season, it's important that you get your vaccination now."
Community immunity protects the vulnerable You can't get the flu from the flu vaccine You can't get the flu from being cold A cold is not the flu
- MPHN CEO Melissa Neal
There is no way of predicting who will catch the flu or who will become seriously ill from it.
"You might think you're fit and healthy and it won't happen to you but the flu can be very serious; causing hospitalisation and even death," Ms Neal said.
"Even if a person is not badly affected by the flu, it's pretty inconvenient, causing people and children to miss time from work, school or childcare because they're too sick to attend."
Diseases spread when people catch them from each other, so it's important to practice good hygiene during flu season, including sneezing into your elbows instead of hands, staying home until 24 hours past the fever's subsiding, and washing hands thoroughly and often.
Make an appointment with your GP or pharmacist because the time to get your flu shot is now.