Jeremy Rockliff,Premier
Minister for Health
Tasmanians aged six months and over are urged to book in for a flu shot to ensure they are protected this flu season.
The influenza vaccine is safe and effective in reducing the chance of catching, spreading and experiencing severe effects from flu.
After very low levels of influenza transmission in Tasmania over the past two years due to COVID-19 restrictions, more people of all ages will be at risk from influenza this year.
There is particular concern for young children aged two and under, who have never lived through a flu season or gained any immunity to the virus.
With winter approaching, now is the time for Tasmanians to roll up their sleeves and come forward for vaccination.
People who are most vulnerable to flu can access the vaccine for free at their GP or pharmacy through the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
NIP eligible people include those aged 65 years and older, children aged between six months and five years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged six months and older, pregnant women and those with eligible underlying health conditions.
The flu vaccine is widely available across the state at GPs and pharmacies and, for the first-time, pharmacies, as well as GPs, will be able to administer the vaccine to children under the age of five.
This year we also want to maximise vaccination coverage for people working in critical industries and members of the household to minimise the potential impact of flu on the Tasmanian community.
That’s why we are running free flu clinics this weekend for workers and family members from critical industries aged 5 to 65 to ensure maximum coverage.
Critical industries include disability, aged care, health, education, early childhood, hospitality, food, agriculture, aquaculture, transport, logistics, manufacturing and emergency management.
Clinics are running this Saturday 30 April at Burnie Arts & Function Centre, Devonport Don Centre, Launceston Old Transit Centre, and Hobart’s PW1, as well as on Sunday 1 May at Montrose Bay High School in Glenorchy.
Over the coming weeks, we’ll also be rolling out free pop-up flu clinics across regional and rural Tasmania to ensure people living in these areas don’t miss out.
Clinics will be held in the North-West, East and West coasts, Central Highlands and the South, with more details to be released soon.
To book a flu vaccine state-run clinic, visit www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au or call 1800 671 738.
