Worst flu season ever approaching but still no winter health plan from Liberals

Tasmanian Labor

·
Liberals
should match Labor’s policy for free vaccinations

·
Already
683 cases of influenza A this year

·
Liberals’
promised winter health plan still MIA as services pushed to limit

Deputy
Labor Leader Michelle O’Byrne has called on the Hodgman Government to
immediately roll out free flu vaccinations to all Tasmanians.

While
receiving her flu shot at Epic Pharmacy in Kings Meadows, Ms O’Byrne said the
Liberals were failing to protect the community as we enter flu season.

Ms
O’Byrne said: “Experts are forecasting this year’s flu season will be one of
the worst on record.

“It
is high time the Government supports Labor’s plan for a trial of free flu
vaccinations for all Tasmanians.

“The
Liberals’ glossy brochures claim they will release their winter plan in
April-June but it’s already coming too late.

“Labor
asked for it in April and now it’s May and we already have 683 confirmed cases
of influenza A as our health services are pushed to breaking point.

“It’s
unforgivable that during a health crisis Michael Ferguson and Will Hodgman have
yet to release Tasmania’s flu plan.

“There
have been 683 cases of influenza A recorded already this year, and with
Tasmanians among the oldest and poorest in the nation we know this will get
worse.

“Our
hospitals and ambulance services are stretched to the absolute limit under the
Liberals and cannot cope with an influx of patients suffering preventable
conditions.

“The Government took too long to act on the meningococcal outbreak last year. Tasmanians cannot afford another delay.”

Michelle O’Byrne MP

Deputy Labor Leader

/Public Release. View in full here.