Residents in aged care and disability homes are now eligible to have free flu and other National Immunisation Program (NIP) vaccines at the homes, administered by pharmacists.
The Federal Government’s National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy Program (NIPVIP) ensures more Australians have convenient and affordable access to lifesaving vaccines with no out-of-pocket expenses.
Member for Robertson Gordon Reid is encouraging everyone on the Central Coast, particularly those in aged care or disability homes, to get vaccinated against the flu.
“The vaccine is safe and effective – and free for those most at risk through the Australian Government’s National Immunisation Program,” he said.
The new support for pharmacists commenced on Monday, April 29, to enable vulnerable Australians to receive free vaccines to protect them from COVID-19 and influenza ahead of Winter.
From July 1, NIPVIP payments will also be indexed in line with Medical Benefits Schedule indexation.
Funding for the off-site expansion of the program will be available until June 2026, with continuation subject to review.
Given the unpredictable nature of the flu it is important Australians book an appointment to receive their annual flu vaccine.
Everyone aged six months or more is recommended to get a flu vaccine each year, and flu vaccines can be given with COVID-19 vaccines.
Reported cases of the flu to date in Australia are 40 per cent higher than this time last year.
Last year 39 people died from the flu in Australia and of those nine were children under 16 years of age.
That was higher than the number of influenza-associated deaths in children in 2022 and in many pre-COVID-19 pandemic years.
Although fewer Australians protected themselves against influenza with a vaccine last year, data indicates last year’s flu vaccines were highly effective.
Those who were vaccinated reduced the risk of hospitalisation with flu by 68 per cent and the need to visit a GP due to flu by 64 per cent.
The flu vaccine is free through the NIP for people most at risk of complications, including: children aged six months up to five years; pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy; First Nations people aged six months or more and anyone aged 65 years or more.
Appointments can be booked with your doctor or general practice, at community health centres, Aboriginal health services and pharmacies.
More information about the annual flu vaccination is available at www.health.gov.au
Pharmacists need to stop pretending they are doctors. They are little more than shopkeepers these days.