October 19, 2017
The State Government will invest $1 million to provide free flu vaccinations for children aged six months to five years in 2018.
The announcement comes after Queensland suffered its worst flu season in recent years, with more than 52,000 lab-confirmed cases of influenza recorded so far this year, and more than 5600 sufferers admitted to hospital.
Health Minister Cameron Dick said up to 300,000 Queensland children would be eligible for a free flu vaccination next year.
“Of all the vaccine preventable diseases, influenza causes the most hospital admissions of children under five years old,” he said.
“Children under five have some of the highest rates of influenza and associated complications, and this year has been no different.
“So far this year 544 children aged under five admitted to public hospitals have tested positive for influenza.”
Mr Dick said children also contribute greatly to the spread of the flu in the community, and the risks of serious complications for kids who contract the flu are high.
Queensland will push for inclusion of the free flu vaccine for under fives on the national immunisation program.
Speaking after the Queensland Influenza Summit in Brisbane on Wednesday, Mr Dick said the State Government was exploring ways to better safeguard communities from serious flu outbreaks.
The flu summit brought together health experts, including representatives of the World Health Organisation and other leading institutes, to develop strategies for managing future flu seasons.
“A lot of great ideas were discussed at today’s summit, but one of the key take-outs is that vaccination continues to be the best way to prevent the spread of this disease,” he said.
“Countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, the USA and Finland are already providing routine influenza vaccination for children under five, and I’m pleased we are adding Queensland to that list.”
The free vaccine will be made available through general practices and other childhood immunisation providers next year.
A childhood immunisation awareness campaign next year will provide parents and carers with details about recommended vaccinations for children under five, including the free influenza vaccine program.
The State Government will also invest a further $1.3 million in technology to diagnose influenza and other infections faster and make future flu seasons easier for Queensland hospitals to manage.
Mr Dick said $600,000 would be allocated for rapid point-of-care testing in 15 of the State’s largest hospitals, and $700,000 for automated blood culture machines.
Caboolture, Bundaberg and Hervey Bay hospitals will be among the facilities to receive the technology. Rapid point-of-care testing is already available at Toowoomba Hospital.
“Point-of-care tests screen for influenza A and B strains and can provide results within 30 minutes,” Mr Dick said.
“This testing is very efficient and will greatly assist hospitals in the early diagnosis and management of people with flu, as well as help hospitals manage admission and care for those who need it most.”
Automated blood culture machines quickly detect infections that are spreading through the blood stream, and will replace current non-automated systems next year.
“This improved technology will lead to more efficient and timely diagnosis and management of bacterial infections secondary to influenza,” Mr Dick said.
