The Department of Health is facilitating the vaccination of Australia’s children five-years-old and under for the first time this year under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
In a statement, the Department said young children were among the people most vulnerable to suffer complications from influenza, a leading cause of hospitalisation for children under five.
“So far in 2020, there have been over 1,800 cases of flu in children under five years of age, and sadly one death,” the Department said.
“There have been over 20,000 cases of influenza overall, and 36 deaths in 2020, down from approximately 110,000 cases and 369 deaths at this time in 2019.”
Minister for Health, Greg Hunt said there was no doubt that vaccination was the most effective and safe way to protect young children against influenza and its complications.
“In addition, the Government has launched an online campaign to increase uptake of the influenza vaccination,” Mr Hunt said.
“The campaign provides evidence-based information for parents, to increase confidence in and acceptance of seasonal influenza vaccination.”
He said the awareness campaign was using online advertising and social media channels targeted to parents and carers.
“This year, our Government has secured a record 18 million doses of seasonal flu vaccines to ensure that all Australians can receive this protection,” Mr Hunt said.
“This is more than double the number of vaccines provided under the NIP in 2017, at 8.3 million,” he said.
