THE Australian Capital Territory has followed Queensland, NSW and Victoria with the introduction of free influenza vaccinations for Canberra children aged between six months and five years this winter.
ACT Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Meegan Fitzharris, said the free immunisations would be available from GPs as well as any of the ten ACT Maternal and Child Health Immunisation Clinics, effective from Apr 2018.
"Offering this free vaccine for children between six months and five years will ensure more people, particularly those at greatest risk, are protected from the flu this winter," Fitzharris said.
She joined her interstate counterparts in urging the Federal Government to "step up to the plate and put this on the National Immunisation Program".
Fitzharris said the ACT was focusing on younger children due to their higher risk of flu-related complications such as middle ear infections, pneumonia and seizures.
About 25,000 ACT children will be eligible for the free vaccination under the new program.
Fitzharris noted that children receiving the vaccine for the first time would require two doses at least four weeks apart.
"Given the flu season usually occurs during winter and spring, parents are urged to get their child vaccinated when the vaccine becomes available from April prior to the flu season," she added.
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