Media release – Jeremy Rockliff, Minister for Health, 31 May 2022

Expanding access for free flu vaccinations statewide

Children aged as young as six months will be able to be vaccinated against influenza at free state-run vaccination clinics across Tasmania from this Saturday, June 4. Currently, the minimum age for influenza vaccinations in state-run clinics is 5 years old.

This important change will further increase access to influenza vaccinations across the state to ensure as many Tasmanians as possible can be protected from the severe impacts of the flu.

Our state clinics are specially organised to accommodate young children, with nurses trained in paediatric vaccination and longer appointment times.

This weekend, the mass clinic at MyState Bank Arena in Glenorchy will have the capacity to vaccinate more than a thousand people a day and southern Tasmanians are encouraged to turn out to get their free flu jab.

While GPs and pharmacies remain the primary provider of influenza vaccinations, this flu season we are supporting the primary care sector to expand access, including areas without access to vaccination providers.

There have been more than 184,000 vaccinations against influenza delivered in Tasmania so far this year to date. This is significantly higher than in previous years, with more than 66% of our over 65-year-olds already vaccinated, compared to the national average of 60%.

However, we are concerned that only 12.5% of our vulnerable six month to 5-year-olds have been vaccinated, a trend that is also being reported nationwide.

It is very important, with the tripling of influenza cases experienced in mainland states, that over the coming eight weeks we target vaccination for our youngest Tasmanians, many of whom have not experienced a winter flu season before.

We also need to finish the job of vaccinating the 34% of over 65s that are yet to come forward, our immunocompromised, our pregnant women, and our Tasmanian Aboriginal population.

With winter now upon us, I encourage all Tasmanians, even if you do not fall into a priority group, to roll up your sleeves and come forward to be vaccinated against influenza to avoid the severe complications that could occur and lessen the impact on our hospitals and GPs who are left to manage severe respiratory illness in our population.

Along with our very high levels of vaccination against COVID-19 across the population, increasing our flu vaccination rates will offer even better protection against severe respiratory illness.

The vaccine also reduces the chance of catching and spreading the flu, which means those who are vaccinated may protect their family, friends and loved ones, and the wider Tasmanian community.

I want to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of the teams involved in the COVID-19 and influenza vaccination effort in our state-run clinics across the state, who have ensured a high level of protection for the population.

This weekend, there are a number of clinics running across the state to ensure increased access to flu vaccinations for Tasmanians. They include:

  • June 4-5, MyState Bank Arena, Glenorchy, 9am-4.30pm;
  • June 4-5, Launceston, 12-14 St John St, 9am-4.30pm;
  • June 4, Hobart City, 109 Collins St, 9am-4.30pm;
  • June 4, Ulverstone Civic Centre, 10am-3.30pm;
  • June 4, Margate Primary School, 10am-3.30pm;
  • June 5, New Norfolk RSL, 10am-3.30pm; and
  • June 5, Sheffield, Kentish House, 10am-3.30pm.

To find out more about how to get the flu vaccine, visit www.flu.tas.gov.au.

Media release – Pharmacy Guild of Australia Tasmanian Branch, 2 June 2022

FREE TASMANIAN FLU VAX WELCOMED BY PHARMACY GUILD

The Tasmanian Government’s announcement today that the flu vaccination will be available through community pharmacies free of charge to the state’s residents aged from ten years and above has been welcomed by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia.

The program will run from Monday 6 June for one month.

Pharmacy Guild of Australia Branch President, Helen O’Byrne, commended Premier Rockliff on his prompt response to what is emerging as a very severe flu season.

“Harnessing the vaccinating capacity of community pharmacists is crucial to tackling all avoidable hospitalisations,” Ms O’Byrne said. “This is an important community health outcome for the people of Tasmania and will help keep them safe from severe illness.”

“While providers have already administered over 200,000 flu vaccinations to Tasmanians, the combination of COVID-19 and the flu makes it all the more important for everyone to be vaccinated against the flu this season.”

“This decision to make the flu vaccination available free of charge through community pharmacies is a very pragmatic move in helping ensure there is maximum uptake of flu vaccinations,” Ms O’Byrne said.

“Being available through community pharmacies makes access to the vaccinations easy for Tasmanian residents, especially for those who live in the more regional areas of the state.”

“On average, patients visit a community pharmacy 18 times a year. In capital cities, and 97 per cent of people have access to at least one pharmacy within 2.5 km radius, while in other areas 66 per cent of people are within 2.5 km of a pharmacy”.

“This means this free flu vaccination initiative can be easily accessed across the state through a local community pharmacy.”

“Speak to your local community pharmacy about getting your free flu vaccine today or visit www.findapharmacy.com to find out more.”

Media release – Anita Dow MP, Shadow Health Minister, 2 June 2022

Government finally delivers on providing free flu vaccinations

The Rockliff-Ferguson Government has finally recognised the fact that Tasmania is facing a difficult flu season by announcing free vaccinations at GP clinics and pharmacies.

The move today by the government follows Labor’s call for greater access to free flu vaccines and comes long after several other states took steps to increase access announcing free vaccines.

I encourage all Tasmanians to take advantage of free vaccines through their doctor or local pharmacy and state run clinics.

Tasmania has remained relatively free of the flu over the past two years but with COVID restrictions largely abolished and people moving freely about the community, it’s critical everyone takes the opportunity to get vaccinated against the flu.

The government needs to ensure there are no barriers to Tasmanians accessing the flu vaccine and its pleasing that Jeremy Rockliff has finally looked to the example of other states in providing free vaccination programs through pharmacies and GPs.

This program will be critical in helping lessen the impact of flu, particularly because Tasmania’s free public clinics are not accessible to everyone, particularly in rural and regional areas.

Media release – AMA Tasmania, 2 June 2022

WELCOME FREE FLU SHOTS

AMA Tasmania today welcomes the state government’s announcement to provide free flu vaccines for the month of June to all Tasmanians.

AMA Tasmania President Dr John Saul said this was an essential step to curb what is looking like a deadly flu season.

“I commend the government on following the lead of other states in announcing a free flu vaccine program for June as it is the right thing to do to protect our community and keep our fragile health system functioning.

“Tasmanians have shown they step forward when needed. At this time, heading into a chilly winter, we need to increase the rate of flu vaccines rapidly and hope this announcement will encourage everyone who has not already gotten their flu jab as soon as possible.

“Our health system is already under immense pressure. We do not want to see our hospitals overwhelmed with flu cases or worse still, preventable deaths,” added Dr Saul.

Dr Saul said that while this is a very positive step for greater public health, he urged the Tasmanian Government to go one step further and mandate flu vaccination to anyone visiting or working in aged care facilities.

“It is crucial we vaccinate and protect our entire community against the flu, especially our most vulnerable, our older Tasmanians.

“Last year, the government mandated flu vaccinations for visitors to RACFS; it is imperative they do so again this year to save lives.

We hope that everyone will book their flu shot with their GP as soon as possible.”