There have been 103 flu-related deaths within the state to August 3 – 9 greater than the identical interval final 12 months. Consultants have stated the low vaccination uptake mirrored wider tendencies, specifically a discount in vaccine confidence after the coronavirus pandemic.
Queensland Well being’s free flu vaccinations on the Ekka had been axed after showing on the previous two annual occasions.
What they stated
Pressed on whether or not he was proud of the state’s vaccination charge, Bleijie replied, “sure”, denying the federal government was courting anti-vaccination voters.
“We have now a marketing campaign on the flu vaccinations, however the well being of Queenslanders is a matter for Queenslanders with particular person accountability,” he stated.
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“And simply as I’m a non-public citizen, so are Queenslanders. And that’s a matter [of] what they do with their very own our bodies, between their GP and their particular person. In order that’s my place.”
Bleijie stated he had appeared at current media conferences the place the problem of flu instances overwhelming emergency departments was mentioned, and he stated the federal government was doing all it may to make sure that was not the case.
“However I don’t assume Queenslanders are shocked that you’ve an inflow of flu in flu season,” he stated.
One other perspective
Labor well being spokesperson Mark Bailey instructed reporters if the federal government although the flu vaccination charge was one thing to be happy with, “they’ve actually misplaced the plot in the case of defending Queenslanders”.
Bailey stated it was “odd” each Crisafulli and Bleijie had been glad to publicly share particulars of their vaccinations and advocate for individuals to get them in earlier years.
He accused the pair of “play[ing] … to the anti-vax crowd” and famous the federal government had spent thrice extra on political well being infrastructure advert campaigns than on the free flu shot scheme.
Professor Julie Leask, a professor of public well being on the College of Sydney Infectious Illnesses Institute, stated whereas vaccines are a non-public determination, public figures can and will present management.
“While I agree it’s a personal determination, there is a chance right here to advocate for one thing that can cease at the very least some Queenslanders ending up in hospital,” the vaccine uptake specialist stated.
Leask questioned Bleijie’s happiness across the state’s flu vaccination charge, which she described as “too low”.
“I believe he ought to be anxious … and having political dedication could make such a distinction.”
Professor Kirsten Spann, the director of the Centre for Immunology and An infection Management at Queensland College of Expertise, stated earlier this month that whereas the vaccination could not cease you getting contaminated, it could actually cut back the severity of sickness and assist restrict hospital admissions.
AMA Queensland president Dr Nick Yim stated he had obtained the vaccine and would proceed to advocate for anybody but to have a flu shot to take action.
“We have now stood with Well being Minister Tim Nicholls and Performing Chief Well being Officer Dr Heidi Carroll to encourage Queenslanders to roll up their sleeves,” Yim stated.
“We want all our political leaders to again the Well being Minister’s message that it’s by no means too late to vaccinate.
“As a GP, I’ve had my flu shot, and I encourage all my sufferers, my group and all Queenslanders to have theirs.”
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