Free flu jabs for NSW children between six months and five

Free influenza immunisations will be available for New South Wales children aged between six months and five years old in the wake of a horror flu season for the state.

Two preschoolers were killed and there were more than 12,000 confirmed cases of influenza among children under five in 2017, Sydney Morning Herald reported.

The state government announced Tuesday it would invest $3.5 million in 2018 in an effort to avoid a similarly devastating flu season. 

The virus killed 745 people nationally last year, and almost 300 of those people were from New South Wales. 

NSW youngsters between the age of six months and five years will have access to free immunisation ahead of winter 2018 in an effort to not repeat last year’s horror flu season 

‘The program will target more than 400,000 children to ensure better protection for them and the wider community,’ Premier Gladys Berejiklian said. 

Double the amount of children were affected by influenza in 2017 compared to the previous year, with 250 admitted to Westmead Children’s Hospital for treatment.

Ms Berejiklian urged parents to ‘take up’ the opportunity of free vaccine for their children, saying it would help ensure greater protection for the entire community.

The recommended two annual doses of flu vaccine would normally set parents back $50, at $25 each. 

Almost half of the 88,357 cases recorded in Australia last year were in New South Wales.

Two preschoolers were killed and there were more than 12,000 confirmed cases of influenza among children under five in 2017

Two preschoolers were killed and there were more than 12,000 confirmed cases of influenza among children under five in 2017

Western Australian children under five years old have been eligible for free annual flu vaccine since 2008, however less than 10 per cent were immunised. 

Health Minister Brad Hazzard condemned anti-vaccination groups establishing childcare services for non-immunised children in New South Wales, calling it ‘extremely irresponsible.’

‘Not only will this free flu jab help keep them safe during winter, but it will also protect their family and friends,’ Mr Hazzard said.

Double the amount of children were affected by influenza in 2017 compared to the previous year, with 250 admitted to Westmead Children's Hospital for treatment

Double the amount of children were affected by influenza in 2017 compared to the previous year, with 250 admitted to Westmead Children’s Hospital for treatment

Eight-year-old Rosie Brealey died just days after contracting a deadly flu virus in September, remembered as a ‘loving little angel’ by her family.

‘Words cannot describe the depths of our grief,’ her father Christian Brealey said.

In the same month, Jennifer Thew, a mother-of-two from Canberra, died after fighting a week-long battle against a deadly flu virus alongside her seven-year-old daughter, Estella. 

Eight-year-old Rosie Brealey (pictured) died just days after contracting a deadly flu virus in September

Eight-year-old Rosie Brealey (pictured) died just days after contracting a deadly flu virus in September

Young law student Madeline Jones also died from the flu shortly before her 19th birthday this year.

Ms Jones fell into a coma and died five days after she started to show mild symptoms.

Young father Ben Ihlow also died in September after a week-long battle with the flu, leaving behind his wife, Samantha and 10-month-old son, Andrew.

Young law student Madeline Jones (pictured) also died from the flu shortly before her 19th birthday this year

Young law student Madeline Jones (pictured) also died from the flu shortly before her 19th birthday this year

Ben Ihlow (right) died earlier this month after a week-long battle with the flu, leaving behind his wife, Samantha and 10-month-old son, Andrew (pictured together)

Ben Ihlow (right) died earlier this month after a week-long battle with the flu, leaving behind his wife, Samantha and 10-month-old son, Andrew (pictured together)



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