Kids‘ free flu shots

QUEENSLAND children under the age of five will be offered free flu vaccines from next year in a move welcomed by infectious disease specialists as a “great advance” in healthcare.

The state will become only the second in the nation behind Western Australia to offer free influenza shots to children aged from six months up to five years.

Health Minister Cameron Dick announced the decision yesterday after a Queensland Flu Summit in Brisbane.

He said about 300,000 children would be eligible for a free flu jab under the move.