Local children between six months and five years old are now eligible for free flu jabs this year.
The $3.5 million influenza vaccination program offered by the NSW Government follows last year’s severe flu season.
Children who have never had a flu vaccination will need two doses, one month apart.
The vaccine will cover four strains of influenza virus, two A strains and two B strains, likely to be circulating this winter.
“Last year, more than 12,000 children under the age of five were admitted to hospital with confirmed cases of influenza,’’ says Jai Rowell, the Member for Wollondilly.
“I’m proud to be a part of a government which won’t accept that this is good enough,” he said.
“The Premier’s announcement means that nearly half a million kids and their families across our State don’t need to consider whether it’s a cost they can or can’t live with.
“It’s not good government to wait until we have a pandemic outbreak before it takes action, and I’m very glad to be able to support this measure before flu season.’’
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said NSW childhood vaccination rates had increased by 6.3 per cent since 2010, to 93.9 per cent in 2017.
“We already have some of the best childhood vaccination rates in the country and this free flu jab will go even further to protect our little ones from potentially deadly flu infections,” Mr Hazzard said.
For more information visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation
