The opposition says free flu shots should be offered to all at the Wayville jab hub
The Premier has responded to an idea for free flu jabs at a repurposed Wayville vaccination hub, as the state braces for a double winter whammy.
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The Wayville vaccination hub should also offer free flu jabs for all South Australians, the opposition says.
SA Liberal Health spokeswoman Ashton Hurn said a blitz should be undertaken as soon as possible as the state faces a “double whammy” of influenza and Covid.
“A free flu vaccination blitz for all South Australians at Covid-19 vaccine hubs is a safe and quick way to boost the community wide protection from influenza this winter,” Ms Hurn said.
“Bookings at Covid-19 vaccine hubs like the Wayville clinic have slowed dramatically; it’s time for Labor to act and fully use these clinics to also offer free flu vaccines to all South Australians.”
But Premier Peter Malinauskas, said the hub is already in use for flu jabs.
“We already are using the Wayville hub, among others, to provide free flu vaccinations for those people who are currently eligible, which is people 65 and older,” he said.
“In terms of the provision of the flu vaccine for free, that is something we are actively examining as we speak; what we want to make sure is that before we make any commitments we understand exactly what the cost of that would be and what the benefit of it would be.”
Currently in SA, free vaccines are free for people with chronic health conditions, children younger than five or over 65.
Mr Malinauskas said the government wanted to be sure the offer would be taken up.
“We want to make sure if we actually do make the flu vaccine free that is going to drive the take-up that we would like to see take place,” he said.
“We’d expect to make an announcement on where we land on that in the next few weeks.”
Ms Hurn also urged the state government to release its winter demand plan, saying “South Australians are being left in the dark” a week out from winter.
“We are deeply concerned that just seven days from winter, Labor’s plan is nowhere to be seen despite calls for its release almost a month ago,” she said.
A top epidemiologist and the SA Greens Party called for free flu vaccines in SA after Queensland authorities announced a free vaccination program.
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