News
6 January, 2025
State government to continue free influenza vaccination program in 2025
The state government will continue its free influenza vaccination program for all Queenslanders in 2025, aiming to reduce pressure on emergency departments and the broader healthcare system.
The state government will continue its free influenza vaccination program for all Queenslanders in 2025, aiming to reduce pressure on emergency departments and the broader healthcare system.
Starting 1 March 2025 and running until 1 September 2025, all Queenslanders aged 6 months and older will be eligible for a free flu vaccine.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Tim Nicholls, said the initiative will help address growing hospital pressures, especially for older Queenslanders over 65 and young children under 5, who face the highest influenza-related hospitalisation rates.
Mr Nicholls noted the importance of increasing vaccination uptake, pointing to the 2022 success when the program saw a 36% uptake. However, he expressed concern over declining rates in 2023 and 2024, potentially linked to vaccine fatigue.
The state government will continue advocating for all Australians to be included in the Commonwealth’s National Immunisation Program.
