By Domenic Chindamo – Pharmacist, Lygon Everyday Chemist, Brunswick East

Over recent weeks, we’ve been seeing something that was once unusual in Australia - Influenza A and B still circulating well into December (1). While this used to be rare, it’s becoming more common as fewer people receive their seasonal flu vaccine (2). 

Even anecdotally, nurses in our community are reporting ongoing flu admissions at this time of year - a reminder that viruses don’t always follow a strict seasonal pattern.

At the same time, we continue to see steady levels of RSV and ongoing COVID-19 cases across Australia (3).

Globally, illnesses such as measles and whooping cough - diseases dramatically reduced by vaccination - are reappearing in regions where immunisation rates have slipped (4).

This isn’t a cause for alarm; it’s simply a reminder of how important community protection and herd immunity remain (5). When vaccination rates drop, immunity gaps form, giving viruses more space to spread - particularly affecting older adults, young children, and people with chronic health conditions.

At Lygon Everyday Chemist, our role is clear: to help our community stay confident, healthy, and protected, especially as seasonal patterns shift and travel-related risks increase.

Why Are We Seeing These Patterns?

1. Lower immunisation rates locally and globally
Reduced vaccination uptake leaves pockets of vulnerability in the community. It only takes a small drop in immunity for diseases like measles to resurface.

2. Changing seasonal behaviour
Flu, RSV, and COVID can circulate outside their usual months - especially with travel, indoor gatherings, and variable weather.

3. Travel has returned worldwide Australians are travelling more than ever. Many destinations are currently reporting:

• Measles outbreaks
• Whooping cough clusters
• Rabies risk (Bali, SE Asia)
• Typhoid & Hepatitis A
• Dengue surges
• Tick-borne encephalitis in rural Europe

Diseases rare in Australia are common elsewhere.

What Is Herd Immunity - and Why Does It Matter?

Herd immunity occurs when enough people are vaccinated to slow or block the spread of disease. This protects the most vulnerable among us - newborns, the elderly, immunocompromised people, and those who simply can’t be vaccinated.

When more people vaccinate > the entire community becomes safer.
When fewer people vaccinate > preventable outbreaks return.

Vaccination isn’t just personal protection.
It’s community protection. It keeps everyone safer.

Frequently Asked Questions From Our Community

“Do I still need a flu vaccine if it’s summer?”
Yes. Flu hasn’t completely subsided - and we’re still seeing cases locally. Annual vaccination remains the best defence.

“Does natural immunity protect me from COVID?”
Not reliably. Immunity fades, and new variants keep emerging. Vaccination provides the most consistent protection.

“Why are whooping cough and measles coming back?”
Falling immunisation rates. These diseases never fully disappear - they reappear when protection gaps develop.

“When should I book my travel vaccines?”
Ideally 6–8 weeks before travel. At minimum, 2 weeks is required for many vaccines to take effect.

“Should I worry about rare diseases like tick-borne encephalitis?”
Not in Australia - but yes in parts of Europe and Asia. If you’re hiking, cycling, or travelling rurally, a pre-travel consult is essential.

Before Your Next Trip - Here’s What We Recommend

Before your next trip, we recommend you:

• Book a pre-travel consultation
• Update routine vaccinations (MMR, whooping cough, flu, COVID, Hep A/B)
• Discuss travel-specific vaccines (typhoid, JE, rabies, TBE)
• Pack a personalised first-aid & medication kit
• Carry digital copies of your vaccination history

Our Message to the Community

At Lygon Everyday Chemist, we continue to invest in the health and safety of our community. Whether it’s routine immunisation, travel health, or seasonal protection, we’re here for you every day - here for good.

Vaccination is one of the simplest, safest ways to protect yourself and those around you. Your decisions help protect our neighbourhood, our families, and our most vulnerable.

Book Your Immunisation or Travel Consultation

CLICK HERE to book now.

Here for Good. Every Day.

References

1. Australian Government Department of Health – Influenza Surveillance Reports: https://www.health.gov.au

2. ATAGI – Influenza vaccine recommendations: https://www.health.gov.au/committees-and-groups/australian-technical-advisory-group-on-immunisation-atagi

3. Australian Centre for Disease Control – Respiratory virus updates: https://www.cdc.gov.au

4. World Health Organization – Measles & Pertussis global updates: https://www.who.int

5. Australian Immunisation Handbook – Herd immunity: https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au