Queensland has joined other states in urging residents to get their flu vaccination, after an early-season spike in cases across the state.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who got her jab on Thursday, said it was "very painless but absolutely important".
"My parents went and got theirs, they're over 70, they got theirs yesterday and also got their COVID protection as well," she said.
"We do know that flu season is coming, and we definitely want people to be protected."
The sunshine state recorded more than 6300 influenza cases between January 1 and April 9, up from 69 cases during the same period last year.
The five- to nine-year-old age group has been the most affected.
Chief Health Officer John Gerrard said influenza transmission was increasing by the week, with further rises projected as autumn turns into winter.
"This is quite significantly earlier than we would normally expect the seasonal influenza epidemic," he said on Thursday.
"I want everybody out there to stop now and think where and when you and your family are going to get vaccinated."
Young children, older Australians and other vulnerable people across the country are already being urged to get vaccinated for COVID-19 and the flu.
Influenza is expected to begin circulating with COVID and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) over winter, NSW Health authorities have warned.
While Queensland's coronavirus caseload has increased in recent weeks, Dr Gerrard stopped short of calling it another wave.
"It's not surging in the way we've seen with the previous large waves in 2022, but we're keeping a close eye on that at the moment," he said.
"So now is the time to get your influenza vaccine for the season and to get boosted, if you're eligible, against COVID-19.
:Those two vaccines will set you up for the coming winter months."
