Free flu immunisation for children under five
Published on 09 April 2020
Corangamite Shire children aged between six months and five years can get free flu shots in Camperdown on Wednesday 15 April.
Council Immunisation Coordinator Felicity Wills said the Health Department recommended people aged six months and over get the annual vaccination, unless there was a medical reason not to.
“Vaccination is the most important measure to prevent influenza and its complications,” Mrs Wills said.
The Australian Government supplies seasonal influenza vaccines through the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for people most at risk.
Due to their increased risk of complications from the flu, the following groups can get flu shots for free.
- All children aged six months to less than five years
- All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged six months and over
- Pregnant women (during any stage of pregnancy)
- All people aged 65 years and over
- People aged six months and over with medical conditions which increase the risk of flu complications.
“We are running a public immunisation session for children next Wednesday 15 April at the Killara Centre in Camperdown between 11 am and 1 pm,” Mrs Wills said.
“Please call us on 5593 7100 to book. Parents in other parts of the Shire can book an appointment through their maternal and child health nurse. If you fit one of the other criteria for the free shots, contact your GP or pharmacy to arrange an appointment.”
Mrs Wills said there was a national shortage of vaccine due to increased demand, but everyone was encouraged to get a shot when they could, so the health system doesn’t face a double burden of flu and coronavirus cases.
“Immunisation services remain an absolute priority for Council and the Government,” Mrs Wills said. “Accessing medical services is one of the four exceptions for confining yourself to home under the Government’s ‘Stay at Home’ direction.”
Preventative measures and infection control will be in place at the immunisation session to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when conducting immunisations. Social distancing measures will be in place, hand sanitiser will be provided, and exposure time will be limited.
People should not attend if they have fever, sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath of a cough, or have returned from overseas in the past 14 days.
The vaccine offers its best protection within three to four months after receiving the shot. Getting it now should give the highest level of protection during peak flu season from June to September.