A doctor's warning New Zealanders to prepare for the flu season, as the number of confirmed influenza cases is higher than usual for this time of year

Australia is also facing an unprecedented flu season - with The Guardian reporting 68 people have already died from the disease.

Immunisation Advisory Centre director Dr Nikki Turner says there's no need to panic... we just need to be prepared.

She says you can carry the flu and not get sick with it - but once you do get sick with it, it's not something you'll forget.

Turner says people need to realise it takes two weeks for a flu vaccine to be effective.