Victorian Government pushes to offer free flu vaccinations to all kids from six-months to five years old

VICTORIA plans to offer free flu vaccines to children under five while pushing for nine out of 10 healthworkers to become immunised and protect our most vulnerable.

Already this year, 1.25 million doses of the quadrant flu vaccine have been administered in Victoria.

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VICTORIA is pushing for free flu vaccinations for children under five, while boosting immunisation of health workers.

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Otherwise healthy Victorians have lost their lives during this year’s record flu season, and the state is demanding the National Immunisation Program be expanded so all children between six months and five years of age get flu shots.

And following a meeting of health industry leaders, Victoria’s target of flu vaccinations for 75 per cent of health workers has been lifted to 90 per cent within five years.

The government will also offer immunisations over the entire flu season, rather than in a current two-week window, to protect vulnerable patients and aged care residents.

Health Minister Jill Hennessy said young children must be added to the flu shots program from next year.

Minister for Health Jill Hennessy said young children must be added to the flu shots program from next year. Picture: AAP

“The flu epidemic is a national problem, and we need a national response,” Ms Hennessy said. “That’s why we will be calling on the federal government to put in their fair share and expand access to the flu vaccine.

“All vulnerable Australians — particularly children aged between six months and five years, and health workers who are in constant contact with vulnerable patients — must be given free access to the vaccine to help prevent outbreaks.”

Australia currently offers free flu shots to those over 65, pregnant women, those with medical conditions such as severe asthma, lung, or heart disease, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged under five or over 15.

A flu shot costs about $10, so giving them to all children under five could add millions to the program’s annual cost. But it might bring savings in productivity and health costs, not to mention saving lives.

Already this year, 1.25 million doses of the quadrant flu vaccine have been administered in Victoria.

The meeting of Victoria’s health industry leaders also decided that all hospitals must develop strategies to better cope with crises such as the flu epidemic and last year’s thunderstorm asthma event.

These “surge demand” strategies would seek to anticipate problems of capacity so that hospitals can react to such emergencies more quickly than they have in the past.

These could involve nurses and allied health workers joining doctors in triaging, treating and discharging patients.

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