Warning: Urgent ‘flurona’ message from doctors to parents

Health authorities are urging parents to book young children for flu shots as Queensland braces for a triple wave of flu, Covid, and the common cold.

In just a week, cases have skyrocketed 130 percent from 1,848 to 4,282 as the infection rate among children mounts as flu and Covid team up to create a double infection called “fluorine.”

More than 180 Queensland residents have been infected with the viruses since January, and 450 people were hospitalized in April.

More than 30 people have been placed in intensive care.

Nearly half of the residents of Queensland between the ages of 10 and 29 are carriers of both viruses at the same time.

Camera IconQueensland is experiencing its biggest flu wave in nearly a decade. Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian Credit: News Corp Australia

dr. Bruce Willett, president of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Queensland, told NCA NewsWire that the flu could kill children.

“We cannot be complacent and think that just because the coronavirus has not been hard on children, the double infection will not be associated with serious health problems,” he said.

“Flurona is the unknown, but we know the flu vaccine is not free for children over five, and that can be a deterrent to getting a protection shot.”

The community’s low immunity results from closed international borders and the country’s common flu vaccination rate, with many young children having virtually no immunity to the virus.

Earlier this month, only three percent of children under five had been vaccinated against the flu.

Evidence shows that teens and twenty-somethings are the driving forces behind the increasing number.

Camera Icon The flu vaccine is currently free for children under the age of five. Delivered. Credit: News Limited

Unlike Covid vaccines, Chief Health Officer Dr. John Gerrard’s flu shots have not been made mandatory for people who work or visit aged care.

On Wednesday, Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said she would follow health officials’ guidelines.

Ms. D’Ath said she is “concerned” about the earlier-than-expected flu season in the state and plans to write to the Commonwealth to request free flu vaccines.

“We’re probably going to have our worst flu season we’ve seen in nearly a decade, and it’s coming our way quickly,” she said.

Camera icon The state is experiencing Influenza A, the dominant strain of the virus. Brendan Radke Credit: News Corp Australia

Queensland Health’s acting Chief Operating Officer David Rosengren said the state was dealing with “the dominant form of flu,” commonly known as influenza A.

“Influenza A is a serious illness. It seriously affects our young, older, and more vulnerable people, especially those with chronic illness.”

“I saw a 19-year-old gentleman in the emergency department with Influenza A last Thursday night, who described how he had never felt so bad in his entire life.

“If you don’t want to feel this bad all your life, my challenge is getting your flu vaccine. We know it works.”

Australians aged 65 and over, First Nations people, pregnant women, and those with underlying health conditions are eligible for a free vaccine.