Extended free flu vaccine coverage next year
The Rudd Government has moved to nearly double its seasonal flu protection by extending its free vaccine program for vulnerable groups from next year.
The Government will spend $44 million over four years to cover an additional 2.2 million Australians – including all pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 to 50 years and people medically at risk aged six months to 64 years (such as those suffering chronic diseases including diabetes, cystic fibrosis or cardiac disease).
Extending the existing program which focuses on older Australians, means these new groups will be eligible for free vaccinations under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) from 1 January 2010.
General practitioners (GPs) will be able to provide the influenza vaccine directly – meaning that individuals avoid any administrative costs as a result accessing the vaccine from a pharmacy, and only one visit to a GP will be needed. The aim is to increase coverage amongst vulnerable groups.
The likely benefits of this preventative health measure include:
- increased protection for the public at large via limited spread of the virus;
- reduced morbidity, treatments, hospitalisations and reduced work absenteeism; and
- better access to the vaccine for those at risk of influenza complications.
Human trials for a vaccine for the H1N1 pandemic influenza begin at the end of July, with results expected in September. The Government has already placed an order for 21 million doses of that vaccine.
Pending Therapeutic Goods Administration approval of the vaccine, the pandemic flu vaccine will be distributed on the basis of medical advice, with priority expected to be given to frontline health workers and those most at risk from severe effects of the virus.
