Don't Forget Influenza

Dr Jana Pittman’s plea: Don’t Forget Influenza! 

Australian Olympian turned medical doctor Jana Pittman is taking the fight to infectious disease as the face of a new campaign that urges Australians not to forget influenza or forego protection in the lead up to winter.

Following a nasty experience with influenza infection two years ago, the mother of six is helping the Immunisation Foundation of Australia spread the message about the importance of protection through annual vaccination.

“Several years ago, we lost my grandmother to influenza and in 2020, during my final year at medical school, I caught influenza and unfortunately passed the infection to my mum,” Dr Pittman said.

“That was the first time in eight years that I hadn’t had the flu shot. With everything going on, it just slipped my mind,” she said.

Despite years of medical training, Dr Pittman said she underestimated just how sick she would feel with the flu.

“I’ve had the common cold plenty of times, but having influenza was very different. It was incredibly scary, and I was close to being admitted to hospital for a high heart rate and low oxygen levels,” she said.

“Mum was very sick and to this day has an underlying cough due to the damage it did to her lungs.”

Dr Pittman said that with so much focus on COVID-19 and the booster roll-out, “we can’t forget influenza, which is likely to once again spread as borders reopen and social distancing measures are relaxed”.

“I’m booked in for my flu jab, along with my kids and husband. As busy as we all are, this is not the year to forget about influenza.”

In 2021 only one-in-four Australians under the age of 65 received their flu shot, despite the national immunisation experts (Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation) recommending influenza vaccination every year for everyone aged over 6 months.

Immunisation Foundation of Australia founder Catherine Hughes said the Don’t Forget Influenza! campaign offered fair and balanced information about influenza and available protections in a candid video series with Dr Pittman.

“As Jana and her mum discovered in 2020, influenza has not gone away and can cause serious health issues. We need to prepare for a resurgence of infections by ensuring people are vaccinated ahead of winter,” Ms Hughes said.

“Jana is the ideal person to lead our campaign. She’s an inspiring Australian, has enormous credibility as a medical professional and faces relatable challenges as a busy working parent.”

Dr Pittman said she was keen to support the

As she welcomes her newborn twins, Dr Pittman is focused on expanding awareness about influenza prevention, particularly for pregnant women and young children.

“Parents may not be aware, but influenza hospitalises more young children than any other vaccine-preventable disease,” she said.

The Federal Government provides the influenza vaccine at no cost to children aged between 6 months and 5 years, as well as to pregnant women. However, in 2021 just 26% of kids in this age group received influenza immunisation.

“Unfortunately, young children are super spreaders. We cuddle and care for them so closely and personal space is not their thing,” Dr Pittman said.

“Vaccination holds the key to protecting children and stopping them from passing influenza to others. The vaccine is free for under-fives, and all parents need to do is book in with their GP.”

Dr Pittman said she hoped the Immunisation Foundation of Australia campaign would help more Australians recognise the benefits of strengthening defences against vaccine preventable diseases.

“National vaccination figures reveal that most Australians missed out on their flu jab last year, but we can turn that around this year,” she said.

“The pandemic continues to place incredible pressure on hospitals and frontline care staff. Nobody wants to see an influx of COVID-19 and influenza cases this winter.

“While we can’t predict how severe the flu season will be, we can all prepare and protect ourselves through vaccination.”

Find out more about the Don’t Forget Influenza! campaign at ifa.org.au/dontforgetinfluenza

 Campaign video and image assets here