NEW FLU SHOT FREE FOR THOSE AT RISK

The vaccine is being rolled out by the federal government, and is an upgrade rom the previous three-strain vaccine following the arrival of the Brisbane flu strain last year.
Minister for Health Sussan Ley said up to 4.48 million free doses of the new flu booster will be available.
“Last year we saw the arrival of some nasty strains of flu, like Brisbane, that led to nearly one in five recorded influenza cases ending up in hospital…
“While many of us view the flu as nothing more than an annual inconvenience, some recent strains have seen serious complications in normally healthy people and it’s important for the health, safety and productivity of not only yourself, but the nation, you get the flu shot before the flu gets you.”
The vaccine will be free for high-risk groups including pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged six months to five years and older than 15 years, people aged over 65 years, and people with a medical condition such as severe asthma, diabetes or heart disease.
Commonwealth chief medical officer, Chris Baggoley, encouraged all Australians – and those at-risk especially – to plan for their vaccinations now.
“Receiving the vaccine from April allows protection from the flu to develop well ahead of the peak transmission period, which usually falls around August,” he said.