A DELAY in government-funded flu vaccines has been described as "a blessing in disguise” by doctors, following last year's horror season.

Doctor Lynton Hudson from the Condamine Medical Centre said the hold-up reduced the risk of the vaccine not lasting the season.

"It's probably too early to be getting vaccinated,” he said.

"The vaccinations only last for around three or four months.

"The worst months are July and August.”

Last year across the Darling Downs region there were 5235 cases of influenza. For Warwick it was described as the worst flu season doctors had seen.

Warwick Hospital also saw an influx of flu patients.

Dr Hollie Berghofer said last year brought more confirmed cases of influenza A than she'd seen in the previous two years.

Warwick Friendly Society Pharmacy general manager Ahmad Almester said speculation vaccines ran out last year were incorrect.

"We actually had a bit of excess in our fridges last year,” he said.

"This year we have plenty of supply of the vaccines already.”

State and nationally funded vaccinations have been made available to groups who are deemed most at risk, which are provided by your GP.

This includes:

Children six months to five years

People aged 65 or older

Pregnant women

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders

Anyone with a medical condition predisposing them to severe influenza

Influenza symptoms can include fever, sore throat, dry cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, and tiredness or extreme exhaustion.

In the elderly, fever may be absent and the only signs and symptoms of flu may be confusion, shortness of breath and worsening of a chronic condition.