Nowhere near the peak: Paediatrician warns of ‘tough winter ahead’ for kids

A paediatrician says while flu cases among children are “rising at a rapid rate” we’re “nowhere near the peak” yet.

Paediatrician at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Dr Anthea Rhodes, says children are particularly susceptible to the flu and they’re more vulnerable this year than in other years.

“Before the COVID pandemic, in children under five flu was the leading cause of hospital admission,” she told Neil Mitchell.

“It does spread very rapidly, particularly in children, and it can make children very, very unwell.”

Dr Rhodes says there are two reasons why the flu is likely to be more severe this year than in an ordinary year.

“The flu hasn’t been around, so the immune system has had a bit of a break … we haven’t had that natural booster that we get from being exposed to the virus year on year, but also vaccination rates were down on previous seasons,” she said.

“A lot of people felt they didn’t need it because the flu wasn’t around.”

The paediatrician urged parents to get their kids aged six months or older vaccinated against the flu.

“It’s certainly around for a few months yet and we’ve not even begun to see the peak of it yet,” she said.

“Get vaccinated, stay well, but it is going to be a tough winter ahead.”

Press PLAY below to hear more about the flu season ahead