How to identify your patients at risk of influenza complications

There are a number of PenCat recipes available to practices to assist them in identifying their patients who have a higher risk of experiencing a serious case of influenza (flu). It is important for these patients to get their flu shot each year to protect themselves against the flu.

People at highest risk of being hospitalised with flu are:

  • babies
  • people more than 65 years old
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
  • pregnant women
  • people with long-term medical conditions
  • people who have weakened immune systems
  • people who are obese
  • people who smoke
  • people who haven’t been vaccinated against the flu.

 

Long-term medical conditions that can lead to an individual having a serious case of the flu include:

  • heart disease
  • lung disease
  • nervous system conditions like multiple sclerosis
  • liver and kidney disease
  • diabetes
  • blood diseases.

 

Available influenza related PenCat recipes are available below:

Latest news in the Northern Queensland region

Tenders open for Mackay Medicare Mental Health Centre

The Northern Queensland Primary Health Network officially launched the Request for Tender on 9 October 2025 for the establishment of...

New plan launched to strengthen mental health, AOD, and suicide prevention services across northern Queensland

A new plan to drive and inform evidence-based service development to strengthen mental health, alcohol and other drug, and suicide...

The power of Primary Sense

Unlocking the power of Primary Sense: Why every GP should have access at their fingertips In today’s evolving primary care...