Queensland kids under five to receive free flu vaccine

Published Wednesday, 18 October, 2017 at 02:45 PM

Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services
The Honourable Cameron Dick

After the worst flu season in recent years, the Queensland Government has announced a new vaccination program for children aged six months to five years old.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick said up to 300,000 children across Queensland would be eligible for a free flu vaccination next year.

“Following the spike in flu cases this year, the Palaszczuk Government is investing $1 million so young children can access a potentially lifesaving vaccine for free,” he said.

“Of all the vaccine preventable diseases, influenza causes the most hospital admissions of children under five years old.

“Children under five have some of the highest rates of influenza and associated complications, and this year has been no different.

“So far this year 544 children aged under five admitted to public hospitals have tested positive for influenza.

“We also know that children contribute greatly to the spread of the flu in the community, and the risks of serious complications for kids who contract the flu are high.

“That’s why we’ve developed this program, to ensure young children have the best chance of protection against influenza.

“Queensland will also push for inclusion of the free flu vaccine for under fives on the national immunisation program,” he said.

Speaking after the Queensland Influenza Summit in Brisbane, Mr Dick said the State Government was exploring ways to better safeguard communities from serious flu outbreaks.

“Queensland has this year endured its worst flu season in many years,” Mr Dick said.

“More than 52,000 lab-confirmed cases of influenza have been recorded so far this year, and more than 5600 patients admitted to hospital have tested positive to influenza.

“Unfortunately influenza cannot be eradicated so we need to continue finding ways of protecting the community from this debilitating virus.

“That’s why an event such as the flu summit is so important.”

The flu summit brought together health experts, including representatives of the World Health Organisation and other leading institutes, to develop strategies for managing future flu seasons.

“A lot of great ideas were discussed at today’s summit, but one of the key take-outs is that vaccination continues to be the best way to prevent the spread of this deadly disease,” he said.

“Countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, the USA and Finland are already providing routine influenza vaccination for children under five, and I’m pleased we are adding Queensland to that list.”

The free vaccine will be made available through general practices and other childhood immunisation providers next year.

A childhood immunisation awareness campaign next year will provide parents and carers with details about recommended vaccinations for children under five, including the free influenza vaccine program.

The summit also discussed strategies to reduce the transmission of flu, the impact of various strains on various age groups, herd immunity issues, and the cycle of virus identification to vaccine development.

“The summit garnered some great ideas from very knowledgeable people and has assisted us in developing strategies to improve management of influenza in the hospital setting,” Mr Dick said.

For information on the free vaccine program for children aged six months to five years, visit the Queensland Health website.

 

Media contact: Joe Begley 0437 443 404