Qld flu vaccination numbers trigger health system warning
Queensland’s Deputy Premier has declared he’s satisfied with the state’s 28 per cent flu vaccination rate while refusing to reveal if he’s had the jab himself.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie has echoed his leader’s position on flu vaccinations, in a shambolic media conference in which he declared he was happy with Queensland’s dismal vaccination rates.
And despite previously publicly advocating for Queenslanders to get their flu shot, Mr Bleijie has now kept his vaccination status private.
Health experts and the Labor Opposition have since slammed the two leaders for not championing the free flu vaccination amid another deadly flu season.
When asked if he had received his flu vaccination Mr Bleijie, similar to Premier David Crisafulli, said it was a matter for him and his GP.
“We’re not going to be a government like former governments, dictating what people do in their own homes, their own lives, or with their doctors,” he said.
He even went as far to say that he was comfortable with Queensland's vaccination rate, which is currently sitting at less than 28 per cent and the worst in the nation.
“We will deal with the impacts of people in hospitals, just has the Health Minister has been doing with our wonderful doctors and nurses on the frontline.”
Latest Queensland Health data showed an average of 277 beds are being taken up by people who have the flu each day, with more than 53,500 cases recorded this year.
Australian Medical Association Queensland president Dr Nick Yim said the low vaccination rates have continued to put pressure on the state's health system.
“We need all our political leaders to back the Health Minister’s message that it is never too late to vaccinate,” he said.
Opposition health spokesman Mark Bailey said both Mr Bleijie and Mr Crisafulli had failed the leadership test.
“How can they expect Queenslanders to go out there and ensure that they’re protected if they themselves are not willing to simply share that information and to get that positive public health messaging across,” he said.
Mr Bailey claimed they were playing to the anti-vaxxer crowd.
But, Mr Bleijie denied this when asked and if his own stance on vaccines had changed.
In 2021 Mr Bleijie told 7 News: “It’s important I think, going into the flu season, that we make sure we get as many people vaccinated.”
Just a few months later, Mr Crisafulli criticised then premier Annastacia Palaszczuk for not getting her Covid-19 vaccine fast enough.
“Is there any wonder why there’s no confidence among Queenslanders when the leader of this state has been so willing to put politics ahead of clear messaging in this,” he said.
The Courier-Mail asked each minister if they had received their vaccination and all but four responded that they had.
Local Government Minister Ann Leahy and Small Business Minister Steve Minnikin said it was a matter for their GPs.
Ministers Amanda Camm and Andrew Powell did not respond by deadline.
A spokesman for the Opposition said the entire shadow cabinet had been vaccinated.
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Originally published as Qld flu vaccination numbers trigger health system warning
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