Queensland makes flu jabs free for everyone as cases double in a week
Queenslanders will have access to free flu jabs across the state as the government seeks to curb rising cases.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the initiative on Monday as influenza A cases increase after two years of low flu numbers due to COVID-19.
Free flu jabs will be available from Tuesday up until the 30th of June.
āWe have large number of concerns at the moment because our cases are doubling and escalating quite quickly,ā the premier said on Monday.
āWe are going to see escalating numbers in our hospitals so we need to do a pre-emptive strike now.
āWe need to make sure we have this preventative measure in place, and I am encouraging all families in Queensland to please take up this offer of getting a free flu vaccination.ā
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The stateās cases jumped from 1848 to 4282 cases in the past week with 151 people in hospital with influenza and 10 in intensive care.
āWe have seen how difficult it has been to fight COVID-19,ā the Premier said.Ā āTo fight COVID-19 and the flu is doubly hard.
āThatās why we are making these flu shots free for everyone.ā
Acting Chief Health Officer Dr Peter Aitken said time is of the essence.
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āInfluenza A is more severe than Influenza B,ā Dr Aitken said.
āIt leads to greater numbers needing to go to hospital.
āVaccination rates for children 6 months to less than 5 years of age is just 6%.
āI urge parents of all age groups to please take up this offer of a free vaccine.ā
Health Minister Yvette DāAth said the free vaccines will be available for all Queenslanders aged six months and older.
āFlu vaccines are generally not free except for the most vulnerable,ā the Minister said.
āOur 2017 season saw more than 750 people in intensive care and our 2019 season saw about 300 people
āThe fact that more than 4,000 cases have already been detected when flu seasons donāt usually begin until late July is very concerning.
āOur best defence is to get as many people vaccinated as possible.ā
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