How prepared will Australia be for the next pandemic?
It's already jumped species and now many fear it has the potential to one day infect humans. Alysia Thomas-Sam reports.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
6 hours ago
- News.com.au
Queensland deputy premier satisfied with low flu vaccination rates as cases soar
Health authorities are urging Australians to still get a flu shot but Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie says he is satisfied with his state's flu vaccine rates, which have toppled to new lows amid increasing flu-related hospitalisations. The state is facing a surge in infections this flu season, with more than 44,000 lab-confirmed cases confirmed in the state this year – 20 per cent higher than the year before. Queensland Health reported 106 flu-related deaths this year until August 9, which is 12 more than the same time last year. Pharmacy Guild of Australia president Chris Owen said 86 per cent of people hospitalised with the flu had not been vaccinated. 'You can't argue with the numbers,' he said in a statement, adding '86 per cent of people hospitalised with flu weren't vaccinated and 90 per cent of reported cases hadn't had the vaccine'. 'The message is clear: get to your community pharmacy and get vaccinated.' However, when asked about the hospitalisation and flu rates, Mr Bleijie said he was comfortable with current vaccination rates and would 'deal with' the increasing number of hospitalisations as they came. On Tuesday, Mr Bleijie told reporters his vaccination status was a 'private matter between me and my doctor'. 'We're not going to be a government, like former governments, dictating what people do in their own homes, their own lives or with their doctors,' he said, referring to Covid-19 restrictions and vaccination mandates. 'If people want to get the flu vaccination they are entitled to do that, I'm not going to dictate whether they should do it or not. 'We will deal with the influx of people in the hospitals, just as the health minister has been doing, with our wonderful doctors and nurses on the frontline.' Queensland Premier David Crisafulli offered a similar answer when asked about his own vaccination status, saying it was 'between me and my doctor'. Australian Medical Association president Nick Yim said the increased flu-related cases were adding to the already overrun healthcare system. 'The cases are rising, hospitalisations are rising due to influenza and that's due to the fact that many people aren't vaccinated,' Dr Yim told Weekend Today. 'And that, unfortunately, is putting pressure on our healthcare system.' He said hospitals were forced to postpone elective surgeries due to the increasing number of flu cases. 'The reason why we had to postpone elective surgery was to give a bit of breathing space due to the fact that many people were coming into hospital needing beds due to influenza and other respiratory conditions,' he said. It comes as flu vaccine rates across the country remain low, with more than 8200 people in NSW testing positive for the flu in the week ending August 2. NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant said because the majority of people do not test for the flu, the figures are likely to be significantly higher. 'Everyone aged six months or older is recommended to get their flu vaccine, even previously healthy children and adults can experience severe complications from influenza,' she said. 'It's not too late to get vaccinated, getting the flu vaccine is quick, easy and recommended for everyone aged six months or older.' Dr Chant said despite the flu season nearing an end, she still urged everyone to get vaccinated. 'Influenza is a serious illness that can cause pneumonia, make chronic underlying medical conditions like diabetes, lung and heart disease much worse requiring hospital admission, and cause death,' she said. 'Complications can occur in anyone but are more likely in those at higher risk of severe illness.' In Queensland all residents are able to access the flu vaccination for free. 'Getting vaccinated not only protects individuals but also helps prevent the spread of influenza within the community,' Mr Owen said. The flu vaccine is free for NSW, WA, South Australian and Victorian residents aged six months to five years, pregnant women, Aboriginal people aged six months and over, residents over 65 and those with chronic health conditions.
SBS Australia
6 hours ago
- SBS Australia
Marine heatwave decimates Western Australia's coral reefs
Marine heatwave decimates Western Australia's coral reefs Published 12 August 2025, 9:24 am Last summer's marine heat wave was the longest, largest, and most intense on record for Western Australia, according to a new report, resulting in unprecedented bleaching across the state's reefs. Scientists are concerned that it's the first time two World Heritage reefs on opposite sides of Australia were bleaching simultaneously. The full impact of the coral bleaching will take months to be fully known.
ABC News
12 hours ago
- ABC News
Queensland premier, deputy premier refuse to publicly share flu vaccination status amid low uptake
Queensland's deputy premier says he is comfortable with the state's flu vaccination rates, despite an expert warning they are among the lowest in the country. Infectious diseases physician Paul Griffin said it was "clear" not enough people were receiving the jab, with the latest data showing about 4,000 influenza cases had been reported locally in a week. "We have seen a lot of admissions to hospital ... and that is probably partly related to a low vaccination rate," he said. In June, Health Minister Tim Nicholls announced a 48-hour pause on elective surgeries at Queensland's largest hospitals on account of them being overwhelmed by patients with the flu and COVID-19. At the time, Mr Nicholls urged Queenslanders to "get the vaccine now". When asked on Tuesday whether he had been vaccinated this year, Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said that was a "private matter between me and my doctor". His response mirrored Premier David Crisafulli who on Monday said of his flu vaccination status: "That is between me and my doctor". "We're not going to be a government, like former governments, dictating what people do in their own homes, their own lives or with their doctors," Mr Bleijie said. "If people want to get the flu vaccination they are entitled to do that, I'm not going to dictate whether they should do it or not. "We will deal with the influx of people in the hospitals, just as the health minister has been doing, with our wonderful doctors and nurses on the frontline." According to Queensland Health, the state recorded 106 flu-related deaths this year up until August 3, which is 12 more than in the same period last year. Health department data showed fewer than one-third of Queenslanders have had their flu jab in 2025, although there had been a notable increase in vaccination uptake earlier this month. Professor Griffin said while he understood not everyone wanted to be vaccinated on-camera, a leader saying whether they had received the jab was "something that could be done". 'I think people in positions of power sharing that they are also onboard with the messaging that our health department is sharing is something that could really be important,' he said. Shadow Health Minister Mark Bailey said Mr Crisafulli and Mr Bleijie were "failing the leadership test" by refusing to say publicly whether they had received the flu vaccination. "How can they expect Queenslanders to go out there and ensure that they are protected if they themselves are not willing to simply share that information?" he said. Mr Crisafulli, in response to criticism, has said his government had restored free flu vaccinations that were not funded, spent more money on advertising flu jabs than last year and started the vaccination program rollout earlier than in previous years. Queensland Health data showed year-to-date cases were down 2 per cent on last year's. Mr Crisafulli said this was a 'reasonable indication of how seriously' the government was taking the flu season. Mr Bailey said it was "curious" that Mr Crisafulli and Mr Bleijie had previously promoted receiving the COVID-19 and flu vaccinations but were now not willing to say publicly whether they had been vaccinated. "I think what is pretty clear is that you are seeing [them] play to the anti-vax crowd," Mr Bailey said. Mr Bleijie said his position on vaccination had not changed and rejected the idea his stance was an attempt to appeal to voters who had anti-vaccination views. "We have a campaign on the flu vaccinations, but the health of Queenslanders is a matter for Queenslanders with individual responsibility," he said
