Free flu vaccines remain available to Queenslanders in 2025

AMA Queensland applauds Health Minister Tim Nicholls for continuing the free influenza vaccination program in 2025.

“The influenza vaccine is the most safe and effective way to prevent people from getting seriously ill or dying from such a prevalent virus,” AMA Queensland President Dr Nick Yim said.

“For the past three years, Queensland has led the nation in making flu jabs free, and we are pleased to see the new government continue Queensland’s leadership this year.

“Unfortunately, cost remains one of the largest barriers preventing people from getting vaccinated, leading to more infections and illness in our communities.

“Vaccine fatigue also plays a role in the declining vaccination rates, but we hope making vaccines free together with appropriate education campaigns will address some of this fatigue.

“We worked with the previous government to secure this program and make flu jabs free from the start of the flu season and look forward to doing the same with Minister Nicholls.

“Details regarding the process for practices to acquire vaccines are yet to be announced, but we will work with state government to ensure this information is made widely available as soon as possible for an effective rollout.

“Practices need sufficient lead time to plan and order vaccines for their patients.

“Vaccines are our best protection against the flu which is why we call on the state government to make this program permanent, similar to the RSV and meningococcal vaccines.

“We also continue to advocate for the influenza vaccine to be made free for all Australians under the National Immunisation Program.”

Background

• The Labor government introduced a free flu vaccine program in 2022, but only once the season was already underway
• The 2025 free influenza vaccination program will be offered from 1 March 2025 to 1 September 2025
• All Queenslanders over the age of 6 months will be eligible
• Queensland reported 78,950 lab-confirmed influenza cases last year (1 January to 16 December 2024) – over two times the 5-year average
• 6,877 Queenslanders were hospitalised with flu in 2024