NSW is considering offering free flu vaccines following great increase of flu cases in addition to the health concerns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The surge of cases has been putting NSW hospitals under significant pressure.
Hospitals are impacted as their own staff get sick with the viruses. It is estimated that approximately 2000 workers are unable to work in hospitals on an average day.
After two years with few cases, Health Minister Brad Hazzard says a "horror flu season" has "hit NSW earlier and harder than it has for many years".
"It is absolutely crucial that you go and get your flu vaccine as soon as possible," he said.
It has been of great concern that 14,812 reported flu cases and 3349 have attended emergency departments with symptoms of bad influenza cases in NSW this year, about third of which were reported in the past week.
Health Secretary Susan Pearce said the double problem of a high flu cases in an unrelenting COVID-19 pandemic have been adversely impacting emergency departments in the hospital system."under significant pressure".
It also comes as the health system tries to get on top of a backlog in elective surgeries.
"Please do not call triple zero or attend emergency departments for non-urgent issues," she said.
"We are urging the community to support us during this challenging period by making sure those who need emergency medical care can receive it by saving ambulances and emergency departments for saving lives," she said.
Anyone unsure whether they should go to hospital should visit healthdirect.gov.au or call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
Chief pediatrician Matt O'Meara said children aged six months to five years were particularly vulnerable to flu, with at least 10 per cent of youngsters in hospital with the virus so sick they needed intensive care.
"Parents can reduce the risk of that happening just by getting their child vaccinated," Dr O'Meara said.
About 11 per cent of children under five in NSW have been vaccinated and about 51 per cent of people aged 65 and over.
Both groups are eligible for free vaccines, as are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders of any age over six months, as well as people who have serious medical conditions or are pregnant.
NSW is considering providing free vaccines, and the government was working with pharmacists and GPs on a strategy.
"Hopefully we will be able to follow a similar path (to Queensland) but it's a little too early yet," Mr Hazzard said.
"We've just got to make sure the system work across the board."
As well as vaccines, the simple precautionary habits people picked up during the pandemic such as mask wearing, handwashing, and staying at home when you're sick could all help reduce flu transmission, Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said.