- Cook Labor Government expands pop-up flu vaccination clinics at AFL games
- Reminder to bring identification to access free vaccination
- Needle-free FluMist available for children pop-up vaccination clinics
- WA tracking towards ambitious 40 per cent vaccination target
The Cook Labor Government is expanding its pop-up flu vaccination clinics at AFL games at Optus Stadium, following early uptake by Western Australian footy fans.
These pop-up clinics are being delivered as part of the Cook Labor Government's 2026 Winter Strategy campaign and are designed to make vaccination more accessible and convenient for Western Australians prior to the influenza season.
The pop-up clinics are also promoting the Cook Labor Government's new 'Be Wise, Immunise' campaign, reaching thousands of football fans walking through Optus Stadium at each game.
Almost 450 vaccines have been administered across the first three games at Optus Stadium, including children receiving the needle-free FluMist vaccine.
Bringing vaccination to busy community settings like AFL games has helped to reach people who may not otherwise have easy or timely access to immunisation services.
These clinics are also providing an opportunity to promote FluMist, the new nasal spray which is a needle-free vaccine for children aged 2 to 11 years old.
The initiative will continue at upcoming AFL games at Optus Stadium across May and June, including:
- Friday, 22 May;
- Sunday, 31 May;
- Saturday, 6 June;
- Saturday, 13 June; and
- Thursday, 18 June.
Last year, WA experienced one of the worst flu seasons on record, resulting in hospitals across the State treating thousands of seriously ill patients of all ages. Getting vaccinated this winter is one the best ways to protect the community.
The Cook Labor Government is working to strengthen winter preparedness, increase vaccination coverage, and reduce hospitalisations associated with influenza and respiratory syncytial virus.
With thousands of Western Australians already receiving the free influenza vaccine, coverage has reached 14.8 per cent, but it is up to the whole community to play their part to bring the State closer to its ambitious target of 40 per cent vaccination coverage across the community this winter.
The expansion builds on the Cook Labor Government's broader efforts to increase vaccination coverage and reduce pressure on hospitals during the peak winter period.
As stated by Preventative Health Minister Sabine Winton:
"We've seen a really encouraging response from WA footy fans, with hundreds of people taking the opportunity to get vaccinated. We want to remind Western Australians to bring their ID to the coming games.
"By extending this initiative across more AFL games in May and June, we're giving more Western Australians the chance to roll up their sleeves and reduce the impact of influenza this winter.
"Every vaccination helps us reduce the spread of influenza, protect vulnerable people, and ease pressure on our hospitals."
As stated by Health Minister Meredith Hammat:
"Promoting vaccination has been a pivotal part of these pop-ups - we have promoted our new 'Be Wise, Immunise' campaign and reached thousands of football fans.
"These pop-up clinics are about meeting people where they are, making it quick, easy, and convenient to protect yourself and your family."
