{"id":334589,"date":"2023-07-17T16:16:21","date_gmt":"2023-07-17T06:16:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=334589"},"modified":"2023-07-18T11:56:02","modified_gmt":"2023-07-18T01:56:02","slug":"free-flu-shots-available","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2023\/07\/17\/free-flu-shots-available\/","title":{"rendered":"Free Flu Shots Available"},"content":{"rendered":"

July 17, 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n

All Queenslanders are going to be offered free flu vaccinations after a spike in cases across the State.<\/p>\n

The free flu shots will be available from July 22 to August 31 at GPs and pharmacies across Queensland.<\/p>\n

The State Government will cover the cost, which is estimated to be between $5-$10 million, for Queenslanders who are not covered by the federally funded national immunisation program.<\/p>\n

A Queensland Health spokesperson said there had been more than 51,426 cases of influenza in the State so far this year, compared with 44,438 cases recorded during all of 2022.<\/p>\n

Influenza B is causing severe disease in some children.<\/p>\n

Since July 1, 78 children aged between six months to four years old have been treated in hospital for the flu.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fifty of these children had the B strain, and only one had been vaccinated.<\/p>\n

Recent reports in Queensland and NSW have linked the B Strain to the deaths of two young girls.<\/p>\n

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman met with professional pharmacy and medical bodies on Monday to ensure all could work together to help roll out the free program.<\/p>\n

There are no changes for people already eligible for free vaccinations under the National Immunisation Program<\/a>:<\/strong><\/p>\n