Free influenza vaccines are to be made available for all Western Australians during June, with the Government announcing a flu jab blitz ahead of the worst of the winter flu season.
Announced by Premier Mark McGowan, the move followed an arrangement made with pharmacies and GPs to expand subsidised vaccinations to every Western Australian during June as an extra incentive for people to arm themselves against the flu.
Mr McGowan said ‘Free Jab June’ started on 1 June and will run until the 30 th of the month.
“Influenza can cause serious illness and with COVID-19 still in our community it is important as many people as possible protect themselves against the flu,” Mr McGowan said.
“After two years of very low flu cases, I would urge all Western Australians to Roll Up to protect themselves now before the worst of winter,” he said.
“We have secured additional supplies of the vaccine, amid production constraints, to deliver free vaccinations for all Western Australians during the month of June.”
Mr McGowan said information on locations offering the free flu vaccine during June 2022 was available online at rollupforwa.com.au.
Minister for Health, Amber-Jade Sanderson said influenza was just like COVID-19 inasmuch as it could make some people in the community very unwell and the best defence we have is vaccination.
“Our hospital staff are going above and beyond in the face of furloughing due to COVID-19 and as winter approaches we expect pressure on our health system to increase,” Ms Sanderson said.
“I would urge all Western Australians, for their own sake, for their families, and for the benefit of our healthcare workforce, to get vaccinated against the flu before the season hits.”
“We already make vaccinations free for our most vulnerable, but by extending this program throughout June we are making the flu jab more easily accessible to everyone,” she said.
