Winter blitz as PHN supports vaccination uptake

Heading into winter, the PHN once again focussed its efforts on vaccine rollouts, and in June targeted the vulnerable and hard-to-reach members of our region.

Starting in early June, the Winter VaxBus made its way across the Darling Downs, making 17 stops in local towns to deliver free vaccinations.

With COVID-19 vaccines available for eligible children and adults, and Influenza vaccines for everyone aged five years or older, the VaxBus was a success with over 171 vaccinations delivered over the two-week journey.

The vaccination bus approach removes barriers to accessing vaccination, like transport or distance to health services.

This month the PHN, with support from Multicultural Australia, also assisted 47 multicultural TAFE students to receive flu vaccinations.

The students, with language support from Tafe Queensland and Multicultural Australia staff, received flu shots from the Pharmacy 777 team.

This partnership is yet another example of how centring collaboration in the delivery of primary care enables greater health outcomes for our community.

The 2024 Free Influenza Vaccination Program is also currently running. All Queensland residents over the age of 6 months can access the influenza vaccine for free in 2024.

The program is available to Queensland residents only, including residents without a Medicare card.

The program will reimburse vaccination service providers for privately purchased vaccines administered to Queenslanders not eligible under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).

GPs do not have to change the way they currently bill for influenza vaccination consultation as a function of this program.

The program will finish on Monday, 30 September 2024.

Image description: Fawziya (second left) and Kahlaf (right) are two of the 47 TAFE students to receive flu shots.