Four-year-old dies from common illness as cases skyrocket

Four-year-old boy died from common illnessHealth authorities urged Aussies to get vaccinated 

A four-year-old boy has died from the flu with health authorities urging Australians to get vaccinated.

The boy died at the Austin Hospital in Melbourne's north-east on June 10 and was laid to rest at a funeral on Tuesday.

Influenza cases have increased across all age groups, according to the Victorian Department of Health.

Chief Health Officer Dr Clare Looker urged parents to take their children to get a free flu vaccine.

'We're expecting flu cases to keep rising in the weeks ahead so it's critical people book in their flu vaccination now, particularly for those groups at higher risk of severe illness such as children,' she said.

'Flu is highly contagious and while most people may only experience mild to moderate symptoms, for some it can be deadly.'

Only 23 per cent of Victorians under the age of five have been vaccinated this year.

Symptoms of the flu include fever, cough and body aches.

A four-year-old boy has died from the flu with health authorities urging Australians to get vaccinated

Tiredness, chills, sore throat, loss of appetite and a runny or stuffy nose are among the other symptoms.

more to come