THE time of coughs, sneezes and runny noses is fast approaching but Dr Ross Hetherington said it was too hard to predict just how bad the 2015 flu season would be.

"The northern hemisphere had a pretty bad flu season but that does not mean we will get a bad one," the Condamine Medical Centre doctor said.

"Warwick had a pretty average season last year.

"Saying that we tend to get a really bad season every seven or eight years.

"So we are definitely overdue for one."

Senior director of the Communicable Disease Unit Dr Heidi Carroll said after a slight set back the vaccine for this year's flu would be available from April 20.

"This year we have experienced a delay in receiving the southern hemisphere seasonal influenza vaccine due to two strain changes from the 2014 vaccine," she said.

"The double strain change is an unusual occurrence and has caused manufacturing delays due to the item taken to develop, test and distribute the regents needed to make the vaccines."

Dr Hetherington urged all at risk groups, who qualify for the free flu vaccination under the National Immunisation Program, to get the jab.

Those eligible include older people aged over 65, Aboriginal and Indigenous aged six months to five years and over 15 years old, pregnant women and people aged six months and over with chronic chest problems or chronic illness.

Dr Hetherington encouraged all Rose City residents to get the vaccine.

The vaccine will be available from general practitioners and immunisations clinics from April 20.

Tips to stay disease free:

•  Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
•  When you are sick keep your distance from others - stay away from work, school and crowded areas
•  Wash your hands frequently
•  Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
•   Dispose of tissues and wash your  hands immediately.