Flu vaccines will be free for all Queenslanders amid concern about the disease spreading among children as students return from holidays.
Since the start of July, almost 80 children aged between six months and four years were hospitalised with the flu, 50 with the B strain and only one who was vaccinated.
The state has recorded more than 51,400 cases of influenza this year, compared to less than 44,450 cases in 2022.
A Sunshine Coast Health spokesperson said the region has seen a spike in cases as well.
“This year to date there have been 3473 cases of influenza notifications for our region. This is compared to 1979 cases by the same time last year,” they said.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the B strain was particularly severe and experts had warned of low vaccination rates in the state.
“I don’t want there to be any barriers to getting the flu jab, which is why I am reinstating free flu vaccinations for all Queenslanders,” she said on Monday.
“If you are sick please stay at home, that includes children going to school.”
Related story: Eleven-year-old girl dies from flu amid rising cases
This year’s flu season was described as “very, very serious” by Australian Medical Association Queensland president Maria Boulton.
“That’s why it is imperative that anyone over the age of six months book a flu vaccine appointment,” Dr Boulton said.
“We are particularly concerned about vulnerable people, so children, those people over the age of 65, people with chronic conditions such as lung conditions such as asthma, also pregnant women, please please make a booking.”
Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said it was alarming that about half of the people hospitalised with influenza B this season had been under 20.
“Ideally we want to see the flu vaccination free for everyone, every year, as part of the national immunisation program, and I’ll be raising this with my state and federal counterparts at the national health minister meeting later this week,” she said.
Chief Health Officer John Gerrard said he was very concerned about the increase in cases and high rate of unvaccinated patients, especially as school resumed after the break and the peak of winter approached.
“Influenza B is known to be associated with more severe disease in children, many of whom would never have been exposed to influenza because of COVID-19 restrictions over the past three years,” he said.
“It is equally important for pregnant women to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their babies.”
The program will run from Saturday until the end of August and those with appointments scheduled for this week will qualify for a free jab.
The move comes after an 11-year-old girl died on the Sunshine Coast earlier this month after contracting the flu, which followed reports of the death of a student on the NSW Central Coast.
Vaccines are already free for certain groups in Queensland including children five and under, and adults over 65.
Western Australia implemented a free influenza vaccine program in May and June, while other states and territories provide complimentary jabs for at-risk groups.
Influenza cases in Victoria are also affecting young people, with almost half of cases occurring in children aged under 15 years.
Health authorities there have warned that while influenza A cases are likely peaking, B strain cases are increasing.
“Vaccination is key to protecting children from severe flu and is recommended yearly for everyone aged 6 months and over,” an alert from the state’s chief health officer said.
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