The number of young children hospitalised after contracting the flu has more than doubled in the past week in one state. Queensland hospitals treated 28 children under the age of five with influenza last week, 15 more than the week prior. As of Saturday, 364 people were admitted to hospital with the flu, with just 318 people hospitalised the same time last week.
The alarming increase has prompted Health Minister Shannon Fentiman to call on parents to vaccinate themselves and their children as the flu season is expected to worsen in the coming weeks. Less than 15 per cent of children admitted to hospital with the flu have been vaccinated. Queensland Premier Steven Miles said the dramatic increase in young children being hospitalised with the disease is “obviously very concerning”.
“It is absolutely critical that everyone who can gets their flu shot, to help protect the most vulnerable people in our community,” he said. “That’s why we have made the flu vaccine free, so cost isn’t a barrier to staying safe and healthy.” With the worst of the flu season yet to come, Ms Fentiman echoed the Premier’s calls for all Queenslanders to get the free jab.
“No one wants to see their child or loved one hospitalised, and we know that vaccination makes a huge difference when it comes to the risk of being hospitalised with flu,” he said. “This doubling of hospitalisations is concerning for our smallest Queenslanders and I am asking parents across the state, please vaccinate yourself and your kids. Queensland is currently the only state to offer free flu vaccinations, which are available at pharmacies and through a GP.
Free vaccinations will also be available at annual agricultural show, Ekka..
