Western Australia has experienced its worst flu season on record, with more than 30,000 confirmed cases already this year. This year, the state’s flu season has lasted longer than ever. That’s the latest, and longest, season on record since Canada’s federal health department began tracking the data in 2001. Alarmingly, Western Australia has documented more cases this October than in any previous October since 2001, raising concerns about public health and the capacity of the healthcare system.
Widespread influenza has placed an overwhelming burden on health services leading to disastrous record ambulance ramping hours. For the month of September, ambulances waited an eye-popping 7,257 hours outside of hospitals. That increase in flu cases is the biggest driver of the continuing ambulance ramping crisis right now. This sudden, massive increase in new diseases is straining our healthcare resources.
Vaccination Rates Lag Behind National Averages
Despite the flu outbreak being at crisis levels, Western Australia has the second lowest rate of vaccination in the nation. Just 18.8 percent of people ages 15 to 50 have gotten their flu vaccines. This figure is well below the national average of 20.8 percent.
Dr. Ramya Raman underscored the importance of higher vaccination rates to take the burden off the health system. She stated, “This is a preventable condition for hospitalisations and severity.”
Fortunately, vaccination rates among older Australians are increasing. In fact, 59.7 percent of people over 65 are vaccinated against the flu! Nationally, this would still leave Western Australia ranked ahead of only New South Wales and the Northern Territory.
Record-Breaking Flu Cases Strain Healthcare System
Even for a bad flu season, this year is setting records all across the country. It has already topped the almost 22,000 cases reported in the 2019 outbreak and is on track to almost double the 17,117 cases in 2023. The ongoing pandemic has forced us to reexamine some major public health strategies, none more so than with our local and federal vaccination efforts.
WA Health Minister Meredith Hammat noted the severity of the situation, stating, “It is I think important to remember we’ve gone through one of the worst flu seasons in some time, and those cases have continued through into September.” She noted that a high number of older patients linger in the hospital well after they have been discharged. This only exacerbates the strain on our nation’s healthcare centers.
Ambulance ramping continues to be a key concern, with more than 7,000 hours recorded for the third consecutive month. In response, officials are calling on residents to do more to protect themselves from the flu this season.
The Path Forward
Looking forward, correcting the all-too stubbornly low vaccination rates will be key in preventing even more stress on Western Australia’s healthcare system. Public health officials are urging for greater awareness and accessibility to flu vaccinations to help fight this ongoing crisis.
Dr. Ramya Raman reiterated the importance of community action in her comments: “The fact that we are seeing these conditions, despite having the flu vaccine available within Western Australia, is a concern.”
