Date published:
Type:
News
Audience:
General public
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged from six months to less than five years will be able to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine for free under the National Immunisation Program from 2015.
Indigenous children are five times more likely than non-Indigenous children to die from the flu, and are much more likely to be hospitalised.
Those who survive a severe flu can suffer lasting health complications including pneumonia, heart, blood system and liver problems.
Free influenza vaccines are also available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 years and over, and people over six months who have specific medical condition that increase their susceptibility to influenza.