The Queensland health minister wants the NIP expanded to give schoolkids their influenza shots. Makes sense to us as well.
The Queensland minister for health has called on the federal government to expand the National Immunisation Program to include influenza vaccinations for kids in school.
On Wednesday, HSD’s sister publication, The Medical Republic reported that for the first time this year there are more patients hospitalised with influenza than covid in Queensland.
A total of 42,626 flu cases have been reported in Queensland in 2024 to date, with 5674 patients diagnosed in the last week and 257 admitted to hospital as of 29 July.
“One in four people who are testing for flu are positive, this is a sign that there is a lot of virus in the community,” said acting chief health officer Dr Catherine McDougall.
“The numbers this year show that this is the worst flu season we’ve had since 2019 … 14% of all of the cases that we’ve had so far this year, happened last week.
“It’s very likely that this is going to continue to spread, [and] we’re looking at a peak towards the end of August.
“Case numbers per head of population are [also] highest in children. Last week, there were almost as many under fives diagnosed with the flu as they were over 65s.
“This is not just a disease affecting our elderly population, it’s affecting the whole community.”
In the wake of those numbers, a spokesperson for Queensland health minister Shannon Fentiman said the state government had funded free flu vaccines for all Queenslanders for the past two years at a cost of $47 million to date.
“The Queensland government will continue to lobby for influenza to be added to the National Immunisation Program, which could then be added to the School Immunisation Program,” he said.
“Queenslanders can receive their free flu vaccine through their local GP, community pharmacist, or local government community vaccination clinic.”
According to the Courier Mail, the AMA Queensland is backing the proposal, saying it made perfect sense.
“We support investment in the school programs already in place and proven to improve the health of young people, like the GPs in Schools program. It makes sense to have those GPs already visiting schools administer flu jabs to students,” AMAQ president Nick Yim was quoted as saying.
“Our hospitals are already under pressure and it’s vital to keep as many people out of emergency departments and hospital beds as possible.”
