<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Flu cases in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/victoria" rel="" target="_blank" title="Victoria"><span>Victoria</span></a><span> are nearing double what they were this time last year, prompting health professionals to urge residents to get vaccinated.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>There have already been 10,600 confirmed cases of influenza in the state this year, which is 5000 more than the same period in 2024.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The height of flu season is expected in June and July, with health officials saying flu case numbers are at a steady incline.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/serious-two-truck-crash-campbelltown/e24fe896-1f14-4a22-b4be-5a2012ba106b" target="_blank"><strong><span>Truck engulfed in flames, one driver dead after two truck crash in Sydney's south-west</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Victoria's Chief Health Officer Dr Tarun Weeramanthri says April is the best time to receive a flu shot.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It does take a couple of weeks before those antibodies come into your body and give you that protection - so you'll get peak protection if you go out and get vaccinated now," he said. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Children between 6 months and 5 years old are eligible for a free fu vaccine, as well as adults over 65 and pregnant women.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/victorias-flu-case-numbers-nearing-double-last-years-record/a1695e73-ba1e-4a9f-88ba-69253541d5b1" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The flu shot can also be given on the same day as other vaccines including the COVID-19 shot, RSV vaccine and whopping cough. </span></div></div>