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More than six million influenza vaccines will be free for Australians over 65, indigenous people, pregnant women and people at increased risk of contracting the virus.
Health Minister Greg Hunt on Sunday announced a national distribution of the flu shot, available free to eligible people through the nationally funded national immunization program.
Mr Hunt said it was important that Australians be vaccinated every year because the virus is changing year by year.
"Clinical experts have indicated that optimal protection against the flu would occur within three to four months of vaccination," he said.
"Getting vaccinated from mid-April provides protection during the peak period of influenza transmission, from June to around September in most parts of Australia."
Pregnant women can receive their free vaccine at any stage of their pregnancy to protect themselves and their unborn baby.
An improved vaccine will be available again for people aged 65 and over, as 75% of influenza-related deaths in 2018 occurred in this age group, according to government figures.
The PIN provides free vaccines to eligible people against 17 vaccine-preventable diseases, including influenza, hepatitis B, whooping cough, measles, and the recent addition of the ACWY vaccine against meningococcal disease in adolescents.
The vaccination rate for five-year-old Australians is 94.67%, which is close to the 95% herd immunity rate, Hunt said.
He encouraged people over six months of age to be vaccinated for the 2019 influenza season.
A record 11 million Australians have been vaccinated against the flu in 2018.
AUSTRALIANS ELIGIBLE FOR FREE VACCINE AGAINST INFLUENZA 2019
– People aged 65 and over (reinforced vaccine)
– Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders six months and older
– Persons six months of age or older with certain medical conditions that put them at risk of serious influenza
Australian Associated Press
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