The Queensland Government has confirmed it will provide the free flu vaccination program for all Queenslanders in 2025 to reduce pressure on hospital emergency departments and General Practitioners.
The free influenza vaccination program will be offered from 1 March 2025 to 1 September 2025, with all Queenslanders over the age of 6 months eligible and encouraged to get the jab.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Tim Nicholls, said the Government was focused on reducing pressures on Queensland hospital emergency departments and the broader healthcare system, and one way to do this is to provide the free flu vaccination program.
“The highest influenza-related hospitalisation rates occur in older Queenslanders over 65 and young children under 5,” Minister Nicholls said.
“While Queenslanders in these age groups are already eligible for flu vaccination under the Commonwealth’s National Immunisation Program (NIP), extending free flu vaccination for all Queenslanders should improve uptake and support the broader health system through avoidable hospitalisations.
“In 2022 when free flu jabs were first introduced, this was the case – the uptake was 36% of total population (2,118,481 doses administered).
“However, the subsequent declines in uptake in 2023 (1,837,384 doses administered) and 2024 (1,752,512 doses administered) of free flu vaccinations is a concern.
“To provide context, Queenslanders uptake of flu vaccination in 2024, at 29% of total population, was similar to the uptake in New South Wales (28.8%) where free flu vaccinations for all were not provided in 2024.
“The decline in the numbers of Queenslanders getting the flu jab in 2023 and 2024 indicates vaccine fatigue and hesitancy may be impacting decisions more so than the cost.
“We will continue to advocate for all Australians regardless of age to be included by the Commonwealth in the National Immunisation Program,” the Minister said.
