BALLARAT residents are being urged to take all precautions to ward off what is said to be a higher risk of influenza this season. Ballarat District Division of General Practice nurse coordinator Jo Millard said there could be an increased number of people suffering from flu in the community. “Anecdotally peak season of influenza is about to be upon us,” Ms Millard said.“Flu is much more serious than a cold and people can be ill for an extended period of time leaving them unable to attend work or care for children.”Ms Millard’s comments were made as the Influenza Specialist Group warned of high rates of influenza outbreaks being confirmed in Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales.The federal government’s Communicable Diseases Surveillance data showed that reported cases of influenza — most notably the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 and influenza B — had risen by more than 200 per cent since May, it said.The infection, the report said, could lead to pneumonia.Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) member Dr Rodney Pearce said vaccination was necessary each year to maintain an adequate level of immunity.“Since the expansion of the Australian government program last year, free vaccine is now available at GP clinics for people at risk of more severe diseases,” Dr Pearce said.Ms Millard urged people, especially those in the at risk groups, to get the flu vaccine.“At risk are people and children over six months with a chronic medical condition, those aged 65 and above, members of the Aboriginal community as well as pregnant women,” she said.“The should get the vaccine even if they are scared of the needle.”