Pixabay/Mojpe Woman blowing her nose
Pixabay/Mojpe Woman blowing her nose

NEWS BRIEFING: How is COVID-19 impacting Australia's flu season?

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While you can catch the flu at any time of the year, Australia's peak flu season generally runs from April to October due to the colder weather. Since early March however, Australia has seen locks down and restrictions of movement, minimal mass gatherings, closed borders and restricted travel - so how has all this impacted Australia's flu numbers for 2020? Listen back as two infectious disease experts from the Immunisation Coalition run us through the numbers of the flu season so far and forecast what might be in store - for both the flu and COVID-19 - as we continue into winter.

Organisation/s: Australian Science Media Centre, Immunisation Coalition, The University of New South Wales

Media release

From: Australian Science Media Centre

*Full briefing recording now available*

While you can catch the flu at any time of the year, Australia's peak flu season generally runs from April to October due to the colder weather. Since early March however, Australia has seen locks down and restrictions of movement, minimal mass gatherings, closed borders and restricted travel - so how has all this impacted Australia's flu numbers for 2020? Listen back as two infectious disease experts from the Immunisation Coalition run us through the numbers of the flu season so far and forecast what might be in store - for both the flu and COVID-19 - as we continue into winter.

The briefing discusses the following issues:

  • 2020 flu rates in Australia and our neighbours
  • How the pandemic has impacted flu vaccination rates
  • Differences between the flu and COVID-19 including aerolisation
  • Mask use during COVID-19

Speakers:

  • Dr Rod Pearce AM is a practicing GP, Chairman of the Immunisation Coalition and a member of the Asia Pacific Alliance for the Control of Influenza (APACI).
  • Professor Mary-Louise McLaws is a Professor of Epidemiology, Healthcare Infection and Infectious Diseases Control at UNSW Sydney and a member of the World Health Organization (WHO) Health Emergencies Program Experts Advisory Panel for Infection Prevention and Control Preparedness, Readiness and Response to COVID-19. She is also a member of the Immunisation Coalition.

Briefing details:

Date: Tue 21 Jul 2020
Start Time: 11:00am AEST
Duration: 55 mins 
Venue: Online

Please Note: For more information about the Influenza Coalition's funding click here. Flu vaccine manufacturer CSL is a Gold Sponsor of the AusSMC, contributing approximately 1% of our budget. Click here for a full list of our supporters and information about our funding.

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  •  Video
    Australian Science Media Centre
    Web page
    Full briefing recording

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