Free turbocharged flu jab for three million older Australians

OLDER Australians will be given a free turbocharged flu vaccine in an effort to prevent a deadly influenza outbreak which last year killed more than 1000 people.

OLDER Australians will be given a free turbocharged flu vaccine in an effort to prevent a deadly influenza outbreak which last year killed more than 1000 people.

From April, the federal ­government will fund three million vaccinations designed specifically to protect people aged over 65.

In 2017 more than 1100 ­people across Australia died from the flu. Ninety per cent of those killed were over the age of 65.

Following last year’s horror flu season, Health Minister Greg Hunt began talks with pharmaceutical giants to register two new vaccines — Fluad and Fluzone High Dose.

Three million elderly Australians will be given a free flu vaccine. Picture: iStock

The two jabs provide ­increased protection for people over the age of 65 by generating a stronger immune response.

Younger people will continue to receive the traditional jab.

Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy said as people age their immune response to vaccinations is weaker.

“Until now they have not been available in Australia but we rushed them through the ­approval process ahead of this season,” Prof Murphy told The Sunday Telegraph .

“Both vaccinations have been shown in trials overseas to produce a better immune ­responses in the elderly.”

In 2017 more than 1100 ­people across Australia died from the flu. Picture: AP Photo/M. Spencer Green

Mr Hunt, who will unveil the $31 million vaccination program in Melbourne today, said the government would continue to protect those most at risk.

“Vaccinations are fundamental to our health system,” Mr Hunt said.

“It can save the life of the person receiving the vaccine, but it also protects those who are unable to vaccinate due to health reasons.”

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Following a spate of deaths in nursing homes last year, the Commonwealth promised to work with state governments to ensure all aged care workers are given flu vaccines before the peak season starts in June.

Prof Murphy said while it was impossible to force all staff to receive a jab, the government was working with the industry to make sure free flu vaccinations were offered at every aged care facility.

“You can’t force someone but you can make sure it’s on offer,” he said, adding that it was too early to predict what sort of flu season Australia would face this year.

Ian Barr, deputy director of the World Health Organisation’s Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on ­Influenza in Melbourne, said the new vaccines provided a longer period of protection.

“With the standard vaccines we use in Australia, 6-12 months later your antibody ­levels have reduced to what they were before you had the vaccine,” Prof Barr said.

“This is important because we  can have some fairly long flu seasons.”