Covid wave begins as Queenslanders take the plunge on flu jabs
With the pointy end of the current Covid surge expected to arrive within weeks, at least two million Queenslanders will be vaccinated against influenza.
Three out of every 10 adults are yet to get their latest booster vaccine. (AAP Image/Dan Peled)
The reported influenza vaccination figures come as 11,687 new Covid cases were registered across the State on Thursday, a jump of more than 2000 on the new cases reported on Wednesday.
The two potentially lethal viruses continue to stalk the community this winter, prompting the Palaszczuk Government to meet the influenza threat head-on when it called a snap ‘flu jab’ campaign on May 23, offering free vaccinations to all Queenslanders aged 6 to 64.
The speed of the ‘pre-emptive strike’ caught doctors across the state off-guard, leaving them scrambling for supplies and staff to manage the sudden influx of patients and seeking guidance on how they would be reimbursed, especially for vaccines already purchased.
Despite the rocky start to the campaign, about 770,000 Queenslanders received the influenza jab from the beginning of the scheme on May 24, through to its extended deadline on Sunday.
When that number is subtracted from National Immunisation Register data, it shows the bulk of Queensland’s flu jabs, or exactly 1,227,486, were delivered over about 12 weeks from March 1 up until Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s announcement of her government’s eight-week program.
A spokesperson from Queensland Health said the initiative was highly successful in driving up vaccination rates and substantially increasing protection within the community.
“As we move through the third wave of coronavirus, it is essential that all Queenslanders protect both themselves and those around them by remaining up-to-date with all vaccinations,” they said.
“We thank every Queenslander who took advantage of the initiative and stepped up to help stop the spread of influenza.
“Queenslanders who are yet to receive their influenza vaccination are strongly encouraged to do so as soon as possible to protect themselves and their community from severe disease.”
While the window to receive free flu jabs from GPs or pharmacists closed on July 17, there is still no cost for vulnerable groups under the national immunisation program, including First Nations people, people medically at risk, and pregnant women.
