All Victorian residents are to be eligible for a free flu vaccine this month (June) in a State-wide effort to combat an expected severe influenza season.
Announcing the free jabs, Minister for Health, Martin Foley said cases of flu in Victoria increased by more than 30 per cent in the week to 31 May, from 10,000 to 15,000.
Mr Foley said more than 3,000 GP clinics and community pharmacies across Victoria had been invited to offer the free flu vaccinations.
“This will be the first time in two years that we will face a real flu season – we need all Victorians to roll up their sleeves and help protect their loved ones and our health system by getting vaccinated,” Mr Foley said.
“The flu vaccination is already free for eligible groups including children under five years, people over 65 years, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people with increased risk medical conditions,” he said.
“Government will reimburse GPs and community pharmacies for flu vaccines that are administered to any Victorians that are not usually eligible for free flu shots – so that immunisation providers can continue to use vaccine that they have already purchased,” he said.
Mr Foley said this meant all Victorians aged six months and over were eligible for the free flu shot between 1 and 30 June to help boost vaccination coverage as much as possible and avoid more hospitalisations throughout winter.
The Minister said that as part of the vaccination push, grants of $2,000 were being offered to immunisation providers to help them manage the additional demand, such as rostering on more staff and opening for longer hours.
