Free flu vaccinations for older Australians

The Minister for Ageing, the Hon Justine Elliot MP, has urged any of the 2.7 million Australians over 65 who have 
not already taken advantage of their free annual influenza shots to be vaccinated and protect themselves from potentially life-threatening winter illness.
 
“As the ‘flu season generally lasts until late August or September, many people can still be protected by having 
the vaccine now,” she said.
 
Last year, 2.57 million Australians over the age of 65 received the free flu vaccinations from their GPs, at clinics 
or in nursing homes across the country.
 
Over the last five years, influenza and pneumonia were responsible for 2.5 per cent of all deaths in Australia 
and, in 2006, resulted in 2,725 deaths – making these conditions together the 12th highest cause of death.
 
Please see additional information in the media release.
 
HealthInsite has topic pages on Influenza and Influenza Vaccine.

Created July 22 2008

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