Announcement

**Pathfinder** · December 28, 2009, 10:47 AM

Re: Australia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

Festival patrons line up for free swine flu vaccinations

REPORT AND PICTURE: LORETTA JOHNSTON
29 Dec, 2009 01:00 AM

A HUNDRED and seventy people took advantage of free swine flu vaccinations offered at the Taste Festival in Hobart yesterday during its first three hours of operation.

Deputy Director of Public Health Chrissie Pickin said the special immunisation tent set up on the Salamanca lawns was a convenient way for people to receive their vaccination.

"Particularly at this time of year it's difficult for people to find the time to take the whole family to their GP, so we're making it easier for people and providing free swine flu vaccines here," Dr Pickin said.

Health authorities would discuss with relevant councils the possibility of offering vaccinations at other events around the state.

"If it remains as successful as it has been so far today, then we're looking perhaps at taking it to Festivale," she said.

The vaccination tent at Salamanca is offering free vaccinations to anyone with a Medicare card.

Overseas visitors are able to use the service at a cost of $15.

"It's easy to forget about the threat of H1N1 when you are having fun over the summer months, however, overseas experience tells us that we can not be complacent," Dr Pickin said.

"A second wave during late summer or winter is still a real possibility, and having the vaccine on hand and free at a festival like the Taste makes it easy for Tasmanians to also do something positive for their health."

She said health authorities were embarking on a renewed communications effort to highlight the importance of H1N1 vaccinations to all Tasmanians this summer.

The vaccination clinic on the Salamanca lawns will be open between 11am and 4pm for the seven days of the Taste Festival.

http://www.examiner.com.au/news/local/news/health/festival-patrons-line-up-for-free-swine-flu-vaccinations/1714512.aspx

**Pathfinder** · December 29, 2009, 06:55 PM

Re: Australia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

Australia Promotes Swine Flu Vaccinations For Children

Source: Government of Australia
Posted on: 28th December 2009

As of 4 December 2009, Australia had 37,462 confirmed cases of swine flu (also known as swine influenza, the Influenza A (H1N1 Virus), and Pandemic (H1N1) 2009), resulting in 191 deaths.

As of 9 November 2009, the Department of Health and Ageing?s daily Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Update Bulletin was replaced by a link to the Australia Influenza Surveillance Report that monitors changes in influenza activity in Australia, and includes surveillance of the international situation, particularly the Northern hemisphere where countries are in their influenza seasons.

The Department also has some useful tips for protecting yourself and others.

HealthInsite has a topic page on swine flu.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) registered the swine flu vaccine developed by CSL on 18 September 2009, and it became available free of charge on 30 September. Since it became available for Australians over the age of ten, 5.1 million doses have been distributed to immunisation providers, of which 4.2 million have gone to general practitioners.

On 3 December 2009, the TGA approved the Australian-made Panvax H1N1 Vaccine Junior so that children who are between six months and nine years old can be protected from swine flu. The TGA has stated that children under the age of ten will require two doses of the vaccine administered at least 28 days apart.

Read more about the children?s vaccine in Minister Roxon?s media release, and use the Kid?s Vaccine Q&As to answer any questions that you might have.

Find out how you can protect yourself, your family, and the community by reading the vaccination update available on the Department of Health and Ageing website.

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http://thegovmonitor.com/health/australia-promotes-swine-flu-vaccinations-for-children-19849.html

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**Pathfinder** · January 7, 2010, 09:07 AM

Re: Australia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

<TABLE class=lan18 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="97%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=hei22 vAlign=bottom height=25>Health minister calls for Australians to take A/H1N1 flu vaccinations

</TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#ffffff height=4></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="50%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=8></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="97%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width="48%">www.chinaview.cn 2010-01-07 15:21:12</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

SYDNEY, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Australian Health Minister Nicola Roxon on Thursday called for people to be vaccinated for A/H1N1 flu after it was revealed only a quarter of doses available had been administered.

Roxon was joined by the Australian Medical Association in her plea for people, particular children and pregnant women, to be vaccinated, News Limited reported.

The minister said because the government had prepared for each patient requiring two doses, when it had transpired one was enough, there were plenty of free vaccinations available to the wider community.

Despite this, taxpayers would be forced to foot the bill for the 21 million A/H1N1 flu vaccinations purchased by the government.
Australia had 37,000 confirmed cases of A/H1N1 flu and 191 deaths, according to private health insurers MBF.

感谢您的浏览！ - 新华网

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2010-01/07/content_12770774.htm

**Pathfinder** · January 7, 2010, 10:03 AM

Re: Australia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

Swine flu warning: don't delay on vaccine</HEADLINE>
ARI SHARP

<CITE>January 8, 2010</CITE>

<BOD>
PEOPLE delaying their H1N1 flu vaccination in anticipation of next winter's seasonal vaccine have been warned there may not be enough to go around if too many take that approach.

The seasonal flu vaccine, available from the end of next month, will protect against three strains including H1N1, dubbed "swine flu", but the Federal Government has recommended that people get the dedicated H1N1 vaccine, especially vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women.

Health Minister Nicola Roxon said yesterday: "I urge Australians to protect themselves, their families and their community against the pandemic flu by getting a free vaccine as soon as possible.

"It's particularly important that parents take the opportunity to vaccinate their children before school returns, given how easily children can catch and spread the virus."

But while the Government has ordered 21 million doses of the vaccine from producer CSL, so far only 6 million have been administered. The relatively low take-up rate has prompted fears that people are waiting for the more comprehensive seasonal vaccine, potentially putting pressure on supplies.

"We will not be making it in extra amounts," warned CSL public affairs director Rachel David, saying the company would produce its typical batch of about 4 million doses.

"We're advising that people aged under 65 and who are not in specific risk groups continue to have the [H1N1] vaccine, because there simply will not be enough [seasonal flu vaccine] to go around if everybody requests it," she said.

Evidence shows that older people are less debilitated by H1N1 than by seasonal influenza, but for the rest of the population H1N1 is the more potent. The median age for H1N1 deaths is 48 years compared with 83 for seasonal flu.

"The general population is more susceptible to swine flu and, in fact, swine flu is by far the main strain circulating at the moment," Dr David said.

Each year CSL manufactures about two-thirds of the country's seasonal flu vaccine, with the balance produced by European company Sanofi Pasteur, which said it was looking to increase its number of doses.

One factor that may encourage a higher take-up of the H1N1 vaccine is the fact it is fully subsidised by the Federal Government, while the seasonal flu vaccine typically costs about $40.

CSL's contract to produce 21 million H1N1 vaccine doses is worth more than $100 million, but the exact figure has been kept secret at the company's request.

The vaccines have a lifespan of 12 months from production, beyond which they can still be used if they pass scrutiny by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

Read more at: http://www.theage.com.au/national/sw...0107-lwqb.html

**Pathfinder** · February 5, 2010, 05:12 PM

Re: Australia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

Get Vaccinated


Protect yourself, protect your community

A FREE vaccine to protect all Australians from pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus is available. The vaccine is approved for use in young children (from six months of age) as well as adults.

There is clear evidence of serious or fatal health complications for some people who catch this flu. It is a new strain of flu that spreads easily from person to person, and experience in other countries shows that this is not just a winter flu ? it could come back during spring and summer.

Vaccination is the safest response for the community, particularly as large numbers of people around the world continue to be infected, and some are suffering serious health complications. By getting vaccinated you can protect yourself and help stop this flu spreading.

How a vaccine works

Panvax? H1N1 Vaccine contains extracts of protein from the new flu strain. Once you get vaccinated, proteins prompt your body to produce antibodies to protect you from the virus.

Protection after vaccination varies from person to person, but people generally start producing the antibodies that provide protection two weeks after the vaccination. Protection is expected to last for at least one year.

This vaccine does not contain live virus and cannot give you influenza.

People who should get immediate vaccination

All people can get vaccinated but some people are more at risk of severe outcomes if they catch this flu. Vaccination is strongly recommended for:

Pregnant women
Parents and guardians of infants up to six months old
People with underlying chronic conditions, including:
- heart disease;
- asthma and other lung diseases;
- cancer;
- diabetes;
- kidney disease;
- neurological disease;
- other chronic conditions (talk to your GP)
People who are severely obese
Indigenous Australians
Frontline health workers
Community care workers

Where do I get vaccinated? How do I get this vaccine?

Vaccinations are available from a range of locations, including GP offices, vaccination clinics, hospitals and health centres. To check vaccination location in your State or Territory, go to:

Health department websites and phone numbers

WA: call 1800 186 815 or visit http://www.health.wa.gov.au/swine_flu/home/
SA: call 1800 022 222 or visit www.flu.sa.gov.au
VIC: call: 1300 882 008 or visit http://humanswineflu.health.vic.gov.au/index.htm
TAS: 1800 358 362 (1800 FLU DOC) or visit www.pandemic.tas.gov.au
ACT: call 02 6205 2300 or visit www.health.act.gov.au/flupandemic
NSW: visit www.emergency.health.nsw.gov.au/swineflu/vaccination/index.asp, or call 180 2007 for your local Public Health Unit contact
QLD: 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84) or vist www.health.qld.gov.au/swineflu/html/vacc.asp
NT: call 08 8922 8044 or visit www.swinefluvax.nt.gov.au

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/healthemergency/publishing.nsf/Content/vaccine

**Pathfinder** · February 6, 2010, 10:01 AM

Re: Australia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

Swine flu expected to be main flu in 2010 
From: <CITE>AAP </CITE>
February 06, 2010 3:30PM

SWINE flu is expected to be the dominant strain of influenza in 2010 and Australians should consider early vaccinations to be prepared, Australia's Chief Medical Officer says. 

Jim Bishop says the second wave of the H1N1 virus is expected to come through in the next few months and is likely to be earlier than the usual flu outbreak.

"At the end of our first wave of swine flu, we saw that the great majority of the population didn't get swine flu and they're still unprotected," Professor Bishop said.

"So we don't want to repeat everything we saw last year. We have the opportunity to totally dampen the program of having to treat people with swine flu."

Vaccinations are now available for children over the age of six months and are administered through two doses. Three million doses were taken up within the first two months of the swine flu vaccination being made available.

"We've now put out around seven million doses, so we're building up the immunity of the population which is a good thing. But now we're all back to school, we're facing another winter, this is a good time to get a vaccination."

In the United States, 95 per cent of the flu in the second wave was swine flu, he said.

"Now we don't know how it will pan out in Australia, but we expect that the dominant strain will be swine flu - the same as in the United States."

There was still uncertainty around the second wave being more dangerous, he said.

"But we don't want to reproduce all of the effort that the EDs (emergency departments) ... had to put in last year.

"We want to eliminate that as this year's scenario."

About 100 cases were identified in November, and that number dropped in December, he said. Prof Bishop said the greatest hospitalisation rate in last year's outbreak was in children under five years of age - 64 per 100,000 people.

"These children were being hospitalised more than we'd normally see with seasonal flu," he said.

"Yes, we do recommend children get vaccinated."

Prof Bishop said there was good evidence to suggest the vaccine would still work even during the second wave and would keep on working.

"There's no evidence that there's anything new happening that will not allow us to have a successful vaccine."

Canberra GP and Australian Medical Association (AMA) federal councillor Paul Jones said about 80 per cent of the population currently were not vaccinated against swine flu.

There were 191 deaths of people with swine flu in Australia last year and the median age was 53 years, compared to 83 for seasonal influenza.

About 200 cases of swine flu worldwide, according to the World Health Organisation, were resistant to antiviral drugs.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/swine-flu-expected-to-be-main-flu-in-2010/story-e6frf7jx-1225827381611

**Pathfinder** · February 10, 2010, 11:55 AM

Re: Australia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

Queensland

School clinics to provide swine flu jabs </HEADLINE>
<CITE></CITE>
<CITE>February 10, 2010 - 12:44PM </CITE>
<CITE></CITE>AAP

Swine flu vaccination clinics will be brought to every Queensland school under a new program designed to limit the virus' spread this winter.

Deputy Premier Paul Lucas says the clinics will provide free H1N1 vaccinations to school children and their families throughout term one, from February 27.

Mr Lucas says the World Health Organisation (WHO) has recorded nearly 15,000 deaths worldwide from the H1N1 virus, and Australia has been warned to expect a second wave of swine flu in April or May.

Authorities have highly recommended inoculating children and adolescents as they are more likely to spread the virus most rapidly, he's told state parliament.

Children under five are considered most at risk of hospitalisation.
Mr Lucas says 12,000 Queenslanders were diagnosed with the H1N1 virus during the first wave last year, with more than 1200 hospitalised and 163 put in intensive care.

Forty-one Queenslanders died, 31 per cent with no known risk factors.
Mr Lucas said 550,000 had already been inoculated against the virus, but that was only 13 per cent of the population.

"The impact of second wave might be greatly reduced if Queenslanders are vaccinated," he said.

"I urge all Queensland families to take advantage of this opportunity to get vaccinated."

The clinics will be open on Saturdays or Sundays and parents will be advised of dates by mail, through schools and childcare centres. Times and locations will also be available by calling 13-HEALTH.

The program will be in addition to current vaccination programs through Queensland Health.

School clinics to provide swine flu jabs

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/school-clinics-to-provide-swine-flu-jabs-20100210-nr56.html

Swine flu vaccination clinics will be brought to every Queensland school under a new program designed to limit the virus' spread this winter.

**Pathfinder** · February 11, 2010, 02:02 PM

Re: Australia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

Free flu jab for under-fives

CATHY O'LEARY, MEDICAL EDITOR, The West Australian February 12, 2010, 2:45 am

WA children under the age of five will be offered a free vaccine against three strains of influenza, including human swine flu, as health authorities try to prevent a repeat of last year's high rate of serious illness in the very young.

The WA Health Department has confirmed that from the middle of next month it will provide a free vaccine for all children aged six months to four years, the only State planning to do so.

The vaccine is not listed as part of the routine Australian immunisation schedule for children but local health authorities will fund the vaccine because of concerns that babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers are at highest risk of developing serious illness from the flu this winter.

Last year, 139 children under the age of five were admitted to WA hospitals suffering complications from seasonal flu or the pandemic H1N1 strain. Children in that age group had a hospitalisation rate from the flu more than double that of children aged five to 14.

Dr Paul Effler, who coordinates the Communicable Disease Control's prevention and control program, said WA would focus on vaccinating very young children who were at highest risk of becoming seriously ill from the flu.

This year's seasonal flu vaccine would protect against the swine flu strain which emerged last year as well as two additional strains expected to cause illness this winter.

"The data from last year indicates that right across Australia more children under five were hospitalised because of pandemic influenza that any other age group," he said.

"Based on years of past history, we can anticipate that children under five will be at greatly increased risk of severe influenza illness every winter, therefore we are once again providing free seasonal influenza vaccine to all children aged six months to four years.

"WA is the only State taking this proactive approach to help make sure one of our most vulnerable groups has ready access to influenza vaccine."
Dr Effler said parents should contact their doctor or health care provider from mid-March to make an appointment for their child to be given the vaccine.

He said that unlike some States, such as Queensland, there were no plans to offer swine flu vaccine in schools but the Panvax vaccine would continue to be available for school-age children through their doctor.

Panvax, which only protects against the H1N1 virus, is still available from GPs for all adults and children aged six months and over. But it is estimated that only 13 per cent of the population has been vaccinated.

Last winter, 4549 West Australians were confirmed with swine flu, resulting in 854 people being hospitalised, 82 of them in intensive care.

Twenty-seven deaths were linked to the flu strain.

WA also recorded almost 1000 reports of routine flu last year.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/6792501/free-flu-jab-for-under-fives/

**Pathfinder** · February 22, 2010, 01:17 PM

Re: Australia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

Mudgee

Fight flu with free vaccine

22 Feb, 2010 11:17 AM

It?s almost time to make an appointment to receive the seasonal flu vaccine for 2010.

Although the vaccination was supposed to be available from the beginning of March, supply problems mean it is now expected to be released at the end of March. Appointments that had been made for earlier in the month have been cancelled and letters sent out.

This year, the vaccine is available to nearly twice as many recipients as usual, and will protect against three strains of flu likely to attack in 2010, including the H1N1 Swine Flu, expected to return to Australia towards the beginning of winter.

The vaccination is recommended even for those who have already received Swine Flu vaccination, as it also fights the two new flu strains.
Patients not eligible for the free flu vaccination can make an appointment with a doctor to receive a prescription.

It is safe to receive the Swine Flu vaccination followed by the 2010 seasonal flu vaccination.

Both Mudgee Medical Centre (phone 6372 1333) and South Mudgee Surgery (phone 6372 4355) will begin offering flu clinics from the end of March.
Please phone the reception staff at your doctor?s surgery for clinic dates and available appointments.

Mudgee Guardian | Mudgee, NSW

http://www.mudgeeguardian.com.au/news/local/news/general/fight-flu-with-free-vaccine/1757511.aspx

**Pathfinder** · February 25, 2010, 06:23 PM

Re: Australia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

Residents offered free swine flu vaccinations

25 Feb 10 @ 08:36am by Staff writer

BRISBANE: Queensland Health will offer free swine flu vaccinations at locations across the southside this weekend amid news a second wave of the deadly virus is likely to hit Australia.

Queensland Health community and primary health services executive director Glenn Bradley said vaccinations against the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (human swine flu) would be administered to the community at six Brisbane schools.

?Queenslanders can protect themselves, their family and their local community by taking advantage of the free immunisation clinics at state high schools,? he said.

?It is vital that children and adolescents are immunised to help protect themselves and the broader community, but everyone in the family above the age of six months should be vaccinated.

?To date the vaccine has been offered through GPs and Queensland Health facilities with more than 560,000 people being immunised in Queensland.

?Our GPs and other partners have done a wonderful job in administering vaccines to their communities, but more needs to be done to prevent a second pandemic wave.

?A second wave is likely. This pandemic is still active in the Northern Hemisphere ? the number of deaths reported globally by the World Health Organisation has increased from 8700 at the end of November to more than 15,000 in the latest report.

?The pandemic influenza virus is likely to be the predominant flu strain this winter and numbers could surge earlier than normal.

?It is possible a second wave of human swine flu will hit in April/May and the best way to manage the spread of human swine flu is immunisation.??

The first clinics will be held on Saturday, and then progressively across the entire state until the end of term one.

People can attend a clinic anywhere in the state. All vaccinations will be provided free and will be administered by appropriately trained health care professionals.

Vaccinations will be available from 9am-3pm on Saturday February 27 at Alexandra Hills State High School, Browns Plains State High School, Centenary State High School, and Shailer Park State High School and on Sunday from 9am-3pm at Brisbane State High School and Wynnum State High School.

Further information on the immunisation clinics and swine flu is available by phoning 13 43 25 84 or by visiting http://www.health.qld.gov.au

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http://springfield-news.whereilive.com.au/news/story/residents-offered-free-swine-flu-vaccinations/

**Pathfinder** · February 28, 2010, 07:10 PM

Re: Australia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

Hundreds get swine flu vaccination

By Penny Timms
Updated 2 hours 48 minutes ago

Health authorities in north Queensland say a free swine flu vaccination program, which was launched over the weekend, is proving successful.

The shots are being given at selected state high schools each Saturday until the end of the month.

Regional coordinator Carmel Bannon says it is hoped the program will help to control the spread of a second wave of the illness.

"Just under 500 here in Townsville were administered the vaccine. The biggest area that actually did a lot of vaccines was Mackay. They actually had two schools running at Mirani and North State high schools and they actually had an extremely good uptake there," she said.

The program is run by Queensland Health in conjunction with Education Queensland.

"The issue of a second wave is what we're trying to prevent at the moment, so obviously the information that we provided out through the school side of things with the letter from our chief health officer advising of the importance of actually having this vaccine seems to have hit its mark, so to speak, and people are interested," Ms Bannon said.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/01/2832643.htm

**Pathfinder** · March 1, 2010, 05:33 PM

Re: Australia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

Council urges residents to get flu vaccinationed

02 Mar, 2010 08:37 AM

REGION - Northern Grampians Shire Council is strongly urging residents to get vaccinated against the H1N1 influenza strain.

Based on trends in the northern hemisphere, H1N1 is expected to remain the dominant flu strain this season.

H1N1 vaccinations will be made available to the public at council immunisation sessions.

People can be vaccinated in Stawell on the third Friday of every month from 9.30am to 10.30am in the community meeting room at the Town Hall.

Sessions in St Arnaud are run on the second Friday of every month from 9.30am to 10.30am in the community meeting room at the Town Hall.

The next session is scheduled for Friday, March 12.

Michelle Wood, team leader environmental health, said that now is the time to act to prevent influenza and prepare for the winter flu season.

``Council is strongly encouraging residents of the shire to be vaccinated against the H1N1 flu in order to prepare for the winter and prevent a repeat of the almost pandemic influenza virus that was experienced in 2009,'' she said.

Ms Wood said the following categories of people are at a higher risk of contracting H1N1 and are strongly advised to receive the vaccine:

- Pregnant women
- Indigenous people
- People who are morbidly obese (BMI of 35+)
- People with chronic respiratory disease (including asthma and COPD)
- People with other chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes or kidney disease
- People who are immunosuppressed (for example, those on drugs that suppress the immune system)
- Health care workers
- Parents and guardians of infants under six months old

The vaccination will cost $11 per dose for the administration of the vaccine.

The Stawell Times-News | Stawell, VIC

http://www.stawelltimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/council-urges-residents-to-get-flu-vaccinationed/1764659.aspx

**Pathfinder** · March 3, 2010, 12:07 PM

Re: Australia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

Free flu jabs from this weekend

Jennifer Chapman | 4th March 2010

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FREE swine flu vaccinations will start being rolled out in schools across the Fraser Coast from Saturday.

Queensland Health, in conjunction with the Fraser Coast Regional Council, will be arranging for vaccination teams to hold clinics at the four state high schools in Maryborough and Hervey Bay.

The program is aimed at reducing the impact of a second wave of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza (Swine Flu).

The Panvax H1N1 vaccine is available free to all Queenslanders and can be given to all people from the age of six months.

Anybody interested in heading to one of the clinics must RSVP by calling the council on 1300 79 49 29.

The clinics will be held from 9am to 3pm at the following schools:

? Aldridge State High School, Boys Avenue, Maryborough (school hall) ? Saturday, March 6

? Hervey Bay State High School, Beach Road, Pialba (the Great Hall) ? March 13

? Urangan State High School, Robert Street, Urangan (the administration block) ? March 20

? Maryborough State High School, Kent Street, Maryborough (the gym) ? March 27

http://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/story/2010/03/04/free-flu-jabs-from-this-weekend/

**Pathfinder** · March 14, 2010, 02:48 PM

Re: Australia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

Swine flu jab proves popular

Damian Bathersby | 15th March 2010

MORE than 90,000 people across the Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay health districts have so far lined up to be vaccinated against human swine flu.

Heeding government warnings a second wave of the pandemic is on the way, almost 4000 have attended free weekend vaccination clinics at local schools.

Another 87,000 have lined up for vaccinations at their local GP.
Dr Andrew Langley, public health physician with the Sunshine Coast Public Health Unit, said the response to the warnings had been pleasing.

?It has been a very good response with nearly 4000 people vaccinated during the first two weekends and the weekend clinics continuing until the end of the month,? he said.

?GPs and other providers throughout the Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay health districts have also vaccinated about 87,000 people, so we are well on the way to achieving our goals.?

Statewide, more than 30,000 have been immunised at 90 free weekend clinics conducted at schools.

The total number of people immunised across the state through all providers, including GPs and Queensland Health, has reached almost 690,000.

With a possible second wave of human swine flu expected to hit Australia in April or May, Queensland Chief Health Officer, Dr Jeannette Young, said the best way to beat the virus was widespread immunisation and people had responded in ?the most encouraging way?.

?It is vital that children and adolescents are immunised to help protect themselves and the broader community, but everyone in the family above the age of six months should be vaccinated,? she said. ?A second wave of swine flu is likely. This pandemic is still active in the northern hemisphere with the number of deaths reported globally by the World Health

Organisation increasing from 8700 at the end of November to more than 16,400 in the latest report.

?The pandemic influenza virus is likely to be the predominant flu strain this winter and numbers could surge earlier than normal.?
During the first wave of the pandemic last year, nearly 12,000 Queenslanders were confirmed with the disease, more than 1200 were hospitalised and 163 admitted to intensive care.

While many of the 441 people who died were in recognised vulnerable groups, about one-third had no known risk factors.

For further information phone 13 43 25 84 or visit www.health.qld.gov.au

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2010/03/15/swine-flu-jab-proves-popular/

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Australia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

Australia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

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