Flu vaccine: SA won’t follow Queensland in making jabs free for all
A surge in cases, and the death of an 11-year-old girl, have prompted one state to offer free flu jabs for all – but SA will not follow suit. Here’s why.
SA News
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The state government is resisting renewed pressure to make flu vaccinations free for all South Australians following the Queensland government’s decision to provide shots for all residents.
The Queensland move follows more than 51,000 cases there so far this year and 56 deaths linked to the flu.
SA Health data shows as of July 11 South Australia had 8965 confirmed cases this year compared to 8405 cases at the same time last year, which went on to have more than 12,000 cases.
There have been five deaths linked to the flu – none of them children – compared to nine at the same time last year.
Health Minister Chris Picton said the government is following the advice of health experts, noting SA has the highest rate of flu vaccination among the mainland states at 36.6 per cent, well ahead of Queensland’s 30.5 per cent.
“In line with health advice from Professor Nicola Spurrier, Professor Paul Kelly and the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee – and consistent with most other states and territories – SA is providing free vaccines for at-risk groups,” Mr Picton said.
“The flu vaccine is free this year for about 600,000 at-risk South Australians, including children under five, adults over 65, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander South Australians, and people with pre-existing health conditions.
“These are the groups that the public health experts advise are most at risk from the flu.”
Mr Picton said there was just a three per cent increased uptake of the vaccination last year when it was free for everyone as a special measure due to SA’s first winter with both Covid and flu.
“Last year only one in three young South Australian children were vaccinated against the flu – despite it being free then and free now,” he said. “That’s why SA Health has run a targeted advertising campaign throughout June to try to lift the uptake in that age group.
“Before the campaign began, only 14 per cent of children under five in SA were vaccinated against the flu. Now, nearly a quarter are protected. We want to see that rate rise and are urging parents to book their children in for their flu shot.”
Opposition health spokeswoman Ashton Hurn reiterated her previous calls for free flu vaccines for all South Australians.
“We need to have every line of defence up and running to protect South Australians and our health system as it battles with record ramping and overcrowding in our emergency departments under Labor,” she said.
“For months we called on Labor to consider providing free flu vaccinations for all South Australians and we still believe there is value in offering them for any South Australian who wants it.
“At a time when so many families struggling to make ends meet in the cost of living crisis – a decision like Queensland’s can save a family of four up to $100.”
Originally published as Flu vaccine: SA won’t follow Queensland in making jabs free for all
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