Influenza vaccination rate not enough: medical group
THE free flu jab program for Queenslanders must be extended for another month with fears winter will be over before people get protected, the nation’s top vaccine experts say.
The Palaszczuk government announced free flu jabs until June 30 in a bid to stop the health system suffering under the weight of hundreds of influenza A and Covid hospital admissions. The Immunisation Coalition is also calling for a federal government working group, involving the coalition, the Department of Health, states and territories to start planning for future flu seasons to avoid repeated problems and yearly pressures on the health system.
“Every flu season is different but if we get the planning right, we are much more likely to minimise the disruption to all segments of the health system,”
IC chairman Dr Rod Pearce said.
Several IC members are participating in the Communicable Diseases and Immunisation Conference (CDIC) in Sydney this week, where they plan to discuss ideas for improving the current system, including valuing vaccines appropriately.
“The pandemic has highlighted the value of vaccines to our community and the importance of public health to our economic prosperity. I look forward to exploring this in greater detail with my colleagues,” Dr Pearce said.
The coalition’s chief executive is calling for a vaccine coverage rate so that the Commonwealth can measure performance and align resources to where they are needed.
“The overall influenza vaccination rate is currently at around 800,000 doses per week – it is not enough, and winter will be over before we get everyone protected,” Kim Sampson said.
The IC wants all states and territories with free jab programs to extend them for another month.
“Providing free influenza vaccine to all Australians would have a very positive impact on vaccination coverage rates but it needs to be planned for well in advance,” the chief executive said. The IC has written to the federal Health Minister, and most state chief health officers, expressing its concerns.