Free flu vaccinations will be available to all Western Australians over six months of age throughout May and June.
Free flu vaccinations will be available to all Western Australians over six months of age throughout May and June.
With influenza season looming, WA's Chief Health Officer Andy Robertson has warned people not to underestimate the seriousness of the flu.
"Influenza is highly infectious and can make you very ill," he said.
"The most vulnerable community members, including older adults, young children and pregnant women are most at-risk of severe complications from the flu.
"Getting vaccinated during May and June will protect you over the peak flu transmission period in the State."
Last year WA recorded more than 21,000 cases of influenza. Almost one in three Western Australians had a flu vaccination.
Outside of May and June, free flu vaccines are also available through the National Immunisation Program (NIP) or State-funded program for people considered most at risk of severe illness including:
- pregnant women (at any stage of pregnancy)
- people over 65
- children from 6 months to Year 6
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over 6 months
- people who are immunocompromised or have serious medical conditions.
This year's flu campaign is running alongside Australia's first immunisation program to protect babies from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
RSV is a highly infectious respiratory virus that infects more up to two-thirds of all babies in their first year of life and, every year, hospitalises more than 1,000 infants in WA.
Babies born on or after 1 October 2023 can now receive the Therapeutic Goods Association-approved antibody 'nirsevimab' at GP practices, Community Health Clinics and Aboriginal Medical Services that provide childhood immunisations.
Children with certain medical conditions that increase their risk of hospitalisation, and Aboriginal children born from 1 October 2022, are also eligible.
From May to September RSV immunisations will also be available at birthing hospitals across WA – providing protection to newborns before they leave hospital.
The State's $11million RSV immunisation roll-out is expected to prevent more than 700 RSV-related infant hospitalisations, around 3,000 emergency department presentations and 4,000 GP consultations this year.
