Free flu shots are now available to residents of Western Australia and South Australia during the month of June.
As of today, all WA residents are eligible for a free flu shot at state clinics and a select number of pharmacies and GPs.
Free flu shots arrive when other states face the rapid spread of the flu with Queensland health experts calling for double Covid and flu clinics to reduce the pressure on the health system you already have.
Stay up to date with the latest news with The WA Briefing, keeping up to date with breaking news from the region as they arrive.
According to SA Prime Minister Peter Malinauskas, South Australia is at risk of suffering the same strain on healthcare.
The dual challenge of widespread community spread of COVID-19 and the flu at the same time during the winter threatens to put even more pressure on a hospital system that is already facing significant demand, ”he said.
“We need to do everything we can to ensure that as many South Australians as possible are immunized against VOCID and the flu to ease the pressure on our hospitals.”
WA Prime Minister Mark McGowan has told WA residents to expect more flu as international and domestic travel resumes.
“After two years of very low flu, I urge all Western Australians to protect themselves now before the worst winter,” he said.
So far, WA has reported 194 flu cases this year with only 20 per cent of Western Australia vaccinated against the flu.
South Australia has recorded 1,195 cases this year, a big jump from just 12 cases last year.
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