AMA emphasises need for COVID and flu shots as colder winter weather rolls in

AMA Vice President Dr Danielle McMullen has warned Australians it is very important for people to get COVID boosters and flu vaccinations as colder winter weather rolls over much of the country.

She said it was vital for young children to be immunised against flu.

“We have continued to see plenty of COVID in the community all year, but we are seeing an uptick in cases again. And that is not surprising given the colder weather rolling across most of the country,” she said on Zinc FM on the Gold Coast.

“So it’s a really important reminder that as winter kicks in, it’s time to get your COVID and flu vaccines. You may as well get your COVID and flu shots at the same time – they are two separate immunisations, but it’s definitely safe to do them on the same day.”

Dr McMullen said the flu is “awful” and could result in weeks off work while some could end up in hospital with a life-threatening illness, particularly young children and the elderly.

“And that is why it’s (flu) different to COVID, which did not really affect kids so much, but the flu certainly is life threatening for children.”

The government funds flu vaccines for children under five and people over sixty, along with patients with chronic health conditions.

Dr McMullan also spoke with Mamamia about the dangers of people inhaling nitrous oxide or “nangs”.

She said when used illegally outside the control of doctors, nitrous oxide was having long-lasting and devastating impacts on people’s nervous systems and it was particularly dangerous for children.

“We are seeing cases of people using so much of this that it affects the nervous system and it does that in ways, including the ability to absorb vitamin B, and vitamin B deficiency is damaging to your nervous system,” Dr McMullen said.

“It’s these people using lots of ‘nangs’ often at risk, but it’s also those who have an unlucky single dose and because it’s unregulated and people are not experts in how to use it and prescribe it and have severe outcomes from a single use.

 “Mental health is linked to your nervous system and I have seen patients who have had long-term problems using nitrous oxide and it has affected their mental health.”

Dr McMullen said that despite the introduction last year of restrictions on getting access to nitrous oxide teenagers were still getting their hands on it.

“The message is that this is not safe for them to use and it can have really serious consequences. It’s good that some teenagers are coming out and shining a light on how dangerous it has been for them.

“It’s devastating and it has taken these tragic stories to get the message out there we cannot be complacent when it comes to nitrous oxide and you should not be inhaling it.”