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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Caitlin Cassidy

All Australians should be offered free flu vaccines to prevent ‘disaster’, experts say

A man receives a flu vaccination from a nurse
Queensland has made flu vaccines free for a month and NSW will probably follow suit, as early influenza season and low immunity causes cases to rise nationally. Photograph: Con Chronis/AAP

Medical professionals are ramping up calls for the flu vaccine to be made free nationwide, saying governments needed to think about the coming flu peak as a looming “disaster” as it coincides with ongoing high rates of Covid infection.

Queensland has already made the jab free amid soaring influenza rates in the state, while the New South Wales government is taking steps to follow suit amid unprecedented demand for its ambulance and hospital services.

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