Ballarat City Council is working with local general practitioners and health services to ensure that the community is informed about the importance of maintaining health by having the flu vaccination.

Ballarat Health Services acting director of internal medicine James Hurley said an annual flu shot is the best protection for families.

“As of late June, statewide surveillance figures show that the influenza season is yet to kick off in full, so there is still time to receive a flu vaccination,” Mr Hurley said.

“Influenza is something that people should take seriously. It can lead to hospitalization and, in extreme cases, death.