Flu jabs could be free in to NSW to combat horror flu season

NSW authorities are bracing for a horror flu season after two years of closed borders, but free vaccines are being considered to ward off the illness. Here’s how soon you could get one.

Flu jabs could be offered for free to everyone from as early as next week, amid fears that we could be in for a horror flu season after two years of closed borders.

The NSW government is ramping up its call for vulnerable groups to get their flu shots, with just half of over 65s vaccinated against influenza.

Coverage for children under five is just 11 per cent, chief health officer Kerry Chant said on Tuesday.

Health authorities are also working to offer the flu vaccine free to everyone, following the lead of Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the NSW government had been working with GPs and pharmacies in a bid to offer free flu shots across all age groups and further announcements would be made “over the next few days”.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard says the government is looking at offering free flu shots to everyone. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dylan Coker

NSW Health sources said making flu vaccines free for everyone could cost government between $20 to $25 million.
The states CHO Dr Kerry Chant said NSW Health’s immediate focus was boosting flu vaccination rates in vulnerable groups.

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr. Kerry Chant. Picture: Brook Mitchell

She said anyone who has recovered from Covid can get a flu shot as soon as they are “well”.

Covid vaccines and flu vaccines can also be given at the same time.

NSW Chief Paediatrician Dr Matt O’Meara said children from six months to five years old are at particular risk of the flu.

“At least 10 per cent of children admitted to hospital with flu will be so sick that they need intensive care. Parents can reduce the risk of that happening, just by getting their child vaccinated,” he said.

Certain groups of people considered to be at high risk of severe illness from the flu can already get a free vaccine.

The vaccine could become free for everyone in NSW. Picture: Supplied

Children from six months to under five years of age, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from six months of age, people with serious health conditions, pregnant women and

anyone aged 65 and over can already get a free vaccine.

People can get their flu shot at GPs and a wide array of pharmacies.

Courtney Mawn from Coorparoo getting a flu jab from pharmacist Amanda Seeto. Picture: Steve Pohlner

While work is being done to broaden those criteria, Mr Hazzard said the NSW government would want “assistance” from Canberra if free flu vaccines were required in coming years.

“We’d certainly be looking for some calm, constructive discussions with our new federal government about whether or not they might broaden the current free arrangements for those particularly vulnerable groups,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Hazzard has stepped up his call for a fourth Covid shot to be made more widely available.

Mr Hazzard said he would “encourage” the national expert body on vaccines to “review its decision” on the fourth shot so it could be made available to more Australians.

Originally published as Flu jabs could be free in to NSW to combat horror flu season