❓ Mr. Healy asks about the government's efforts to maximize flu vaccinations in WA and the importance of vaccination. The Minister details the free vaccination program, uptake numbers, and encourages residents to get vaccinated.
AnsweredQoN 369Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
FLU —
VACCINATION
369. Mr T.J. HEALY to the Minister for Health:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
efforts to mitigate the impact of influenza on our state's health
system.
(1) Can the minister update the house on this government's
efforts to maximise the number of Western Australians who are protected
against the flu this winter?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house how vaccinating against influenza is an important way
we can all protect ourselves and vulnerable people in the community?
VACCINATION
369. Mr T.J. HEALY to the Minister for Health:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
efforts to mitigate the impact of influenza on our state's health
system.
(1) Can the minister update the house on this government's
efforts to maximise the number of Western Australians who are protected
against the flu this winter?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house how vaccinating against influenza is an important way
we can all protect ourselves and vulnerable people in the community?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I
thank the member for Southern River for his question. We all know that the best
protection against the flu and COVID is vaccination. Although we have some of
the strongest, highest vaccination rates for COVID around the country, and in
fact around the world, we are certainly nowhere near as close to the numbers
for COVID with our flu vaccinations. The level of flu in the community is
concerning, which I think is testament to some of the absences in this chamber
this week. In fact, we are experiencing very high
numbers of flu cases. To date, 2009 flu notifications for children aged under
10 years have been lodged this year alone. In the last reporting week,
flu notifications for this age group increased by 67 per cent. Flu
notifications for kids are climbing up.
The
strains that are currently circulating are AH1 and influenza b, which are
different from the predominantly influenza
AH3 strain that we saw last year. This year's vaccination covers all
those three strains. That is why the government committed $15 million to
ensure Western Australians have access to free flu vaccinations for the month
of May. We have extended that for the month of June. I remind and encourage
people to get their free flu vaccination.
As
of 10 June, a total of 557 882 free flu jabs were delivered under this program.
That included the bulk of those for people aged between 12 and 64 years.
It is still slightly lower than last year, though. The program will run until
the end of the month. I strongly encourage everyone to take up their free flu
vax and get their COVID booster at the same
time. Normally, the program is open to the vulnerable cohort in the
community—namely, children under five, people 65 and older, pregnant
women and those with complications—but it is free for every Western Australian.
It is very easy to do. You just walk into a pharmacy or make an appointment at
your GP clinic for yourself and your children. A reminder that pharmacists can
vaccinate children over five years old. I took my son who is seven to the
pharmacy to get vaccinated at absolutely no cost. I remind everyone of the
importance of flu vaccinations and making sure you protect yourself and your
families.
thank the member for Southern River for his question. We all know that the best
protection against the flu and COVID is vaccination. Although we have some of
the strongest, highest vaccination rates for COVID around the country, and in
fact around the world, we are certainly nowhere near as close to the numbers
for COVID with our flu vaccinations. The level of flu in the community is
concerning, which I think is testament to some of the absences in this chamber
this week. In fact, we are experiencing very high
numbers of flu cases. To date, 2009 flu notifications for children aged under
10 years have been lodged this year alone. In the last reporting week,
flu notifications for this age group increased by 67 per cent. Flu
notifications for kids are climbing up.
The
strains that are currently circulating are AH1 and influenza b, which are
different from the predominantly influenza
AH3 strain that we saw last year. This year's vaccination covers all
those three strains. That is why the government committed $15 million to
ensure Western Australians have access to free flu vaccinations for the month
of May. We have extended that for the month of June. I remind and encourage
people to get their free flu vaccination.
As
of 10 June, a total of 557 882 free flu jabs were delivered under this program.
That included the bulk of those for people aged between 12 and 64 years.
It is still slightly lower than last year, though. The program will run until
the end of the month. I strongly encourage everyone to take up their free flu
vax and get their COVID booster at the same
time. Normally, the program is open to the vulnerable cohort in the
community—namely, children under five, people 65 and older, pregnant
women and those with complications—but it is free for every Western Australian.
It is very easy to do. You just walk into a pharmacy or make an appointment at
your GP clinic for yourself and your children. A reminder that pharmacists can
vaccinate children over five years old. I took my son who is seven to the
pharmacy to get vaccinated at absolutely no cost. I remind everyone of the
importance of flu vaccinations and making sure you protect yourself and your
families.
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