Stark health warning issued as Australia braces for 'short but nasty' winter
As temperatures drop and beaches rapidly emptying, Australia is already in the grip of an intense early flu season which threatens lives nationwide.
And now authorities are warning of another deadly illness that could put millions of Australians at risk this winter.
WATCH this video for everything you need to know:
Pneumonia is one of Australia's top 10 killers, with 10 percent of those hospitalised with the potentially deadly lung infection dying every year, 7NEWS.com.au reports.
Professor Robert Booy from the Immunisation Coalition spoke to Sunrise this morning to raise awareness about the severity of the condition.
Symptoms to watch out for include a cough, fever, sweating and shivering, difficulty breathing or rapid inhalation, loss of appetite and feeling generally tired and unwell.
Pneumonia is particularly dangerous for babies, young children and the elderly.
Professor Booy said those over the age of 65 and anyone at high risk of infection can get free pneumococcal vaccines from their local GP.
The warning comes after controversial weather pundit David Taylor told Daily Mail Australia the coming winter would but "short but nasty".