Queensland deputy premier satisfied with low flu vaccination rates as cases soar
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.
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